Kentish Football 
I've gone to a club that I belieive will be challenging for honours again, says Andy Constable
The Deres clinched the Kent League title by two points and defeated Corinthian 4-1 at Park View Road to win the Kent League Cup Final on 11 May.
But 12 days later, Collins, 42, and his entire management team walked out on the club due to concerns about the budget going into the club’s new adventure in the Ryman League Division One North.
The club appointed Martin Ford and Chris Cosgrove as co-managers – the pair have been at the club before – and that followed the arrival of coaches Joe Ford, Martin Barnard and Darren Mace from Kent League side Cray Valley.
When asked about what’s his plans are for next season, Collins said last night: “I’ve had a couple of offers, but nothing appeals yet.
“Everyone at Erith & Belvedere has left – what a shock decision they’ve made!”
Constable, 33, has already put pen to paper to sign for Tunbridge Wells, who finished in seventh-place in the Kent League after beating Lordswood to win the Kent Senior Trophy and went down to a brave 2-1 defeat to Northern League side Spennymoor Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase Final at Wembley Stadium.
Defender Richard Davies, 19, has signed for Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United.
Striker Richmond Kissi has signed for VCD Athletic, who were promoted to the Ryman League Division One North after finishing runners-up last season.
Brothers Lewis and Jamie Wood, meanwhile, have dropped back down in to the Kent League to sign for Cray Valley.
But goalkeeper Jack Bradshaw has stayed loyal to the club and Paul Springett – who was expected to retire at the end of last season - has been appointed captain next season.
Constable was proud of his achievements last season.
“Yes, it was a very good season,” said the target-man.
“The league was the priority. That was what we set out to try and achieve at the start of the season. It was part of Micky’s plans to achieve that within the three years’ that he was there, which he done.
“It was a very successful season for the club.”
Constable was asked his reaction when Collins quit the club 12 days after leading the club to the double and promotion.
He said: “First reaction was shock to be honest and then disappointment I guess, because obviously we achieved the double and everyone was going to get prepared for what would have been a good season in the Ryman League.
“Unfortunately that’s football and that’s what happens and you move on.”
Constable bagged 63 goals during his two seasons at the Park View Road club.
“Yes, not too bad! Should’ve been a few more to be honest, the amount of chances that I’ve had. I’ll take that all day long to be honest,” added the former Bromley, Whitstable Town and Sevenoaks Town frontman.
“You always set yourself personal targets and that’s over what my target should’ve been, so I’m definitely happy with that!”
Constable, who now lives in West Malling, revealed why he opted to play for Martin Larkin at Tunbridge Wells next season.
“Martin over there has been after me for a few years to be honest and I had a short spell there previously under Martin Farnie, which didn’t work out in the end.
“But I just think they’re a club going in the right direction. They’ve got a great fan-base there.
“They’ve had an amazing season last year going to Wembley. I’ve gone to a club that I believe will be challenging for honours again next season.
“It’s staying in the league that I’ve just come out of. I think it’s a club that will challenge and hopefully have another successful season.”
Constable watched The Wells at Wembley Stadium on 4 May and was very impressed with what he saw and he will be looking forward to getting on the end of crosses supplied to him by wingers Jon Pilbeam and Wembley goalscorer Josh Stanford next season.
“I went up to Wembley, I thought they’re a very good side,” said Constable.
“I’ve played against them a few times last season as well and been very impressed with how they play and the set-up there. They’ve got two very lively wingers there that I think will benefit my game and get loads of crosses in the box.
“I think they looked solid, strong throughout the spine of the team and I think they’ll definitely be up there challenging for things next season.”
Before his two-year stint at Erith & Belvedere, Constable scored 30 goals in Ryman League Division One North Thamesmead Town.
When asked whether he didn’t fancy a return to the Ryman League, Constable replied, “No, it wasn’t the case at all! I guess you look at certain things like the commitment levels needed to play at that level of football with work and when you get a bit older like myself as well you have to think could you still play at that level? I think I probably could’ve!
“I just think with Micky going, it gave me a reason not to be there to be honest and that was the main reason of me leaving to be honest.”
“I just think that just goes to show money doesn’t always talk,” said Constable, who broke into Bromley’s first-team (in Ryman League Division One) at the age of nineteen.
“You need togetherness and people who want to play for that club and play for the manager and if you can get that, which I think quite clearly they’ve got, you’ve got a good work ethic, a good team spirit to get results and be successful.
“I know a few of the boys as well and they can’t speak highly of Martin. They do things the right way and the training facilities they’ve got are excellent.
“The way that they run the sessions is really good, which I need. As you get on you have to keep as fit as you can and hopefully it will suit me.”
Constable seems to have got better with age and is regularly banging in goals since he turned 30.
He said: “It’s true. It seems since I had the move to Thamesmead, it just kicked on from there really.
“Experience plays a massive part in football. I think as long as you stay injury free and relatively fit as an experienced player you know where to be to tuck the chances away.
“It is funny how it works out like that but I guess it’s the same for everyone.”
When asked what his goalscoring target will be for next season, Constable replied, “I would like to say I’ve set something but I’m not going to reveal that to you just in case I don’t meet it and make myself look silly!
Constable won the Kent League for Whitstable Town under Marc Seager in 2007 and admitted you have to play direct to get over the white line in first place.
“You’ve just got to be an organised side I think, with good quality in the side and with people who want to play in that team,” he said.
“People can argue there’s a certain way to win the league. There’s questions whether it needs to be direct, but it’s about playing football in the right areas.
“There’s always be times when you have to turn other team and you can play in the final third. To be honest that’s the way we won it with Whitstable and Erith & Belvedere. People call it long ball but I think it’s the sensible way of playing to win that league.”
Meanwhile, highly-rated striker Jack Harris, 19, has re-signed for Tunbridge Wells next season.
Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk
Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd