Kent League clubs struggle to make ends meet, says Larkin

Sunday 14th March 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin warns more Kent League clubs may be forced to withdraw their playing budgets next season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Erith & Belvedere are the latest club at this level to unveil that they have withdrawn their playing budget in recent weeks and with fans turning their back on the game, clubs are taking measures to ensure they don’t become the next Chester City or Farsley Celtic and go out of business.

Only three of the sixteen clubs in the division attract average crowds of over 100; Herne Bay (188); Faversham Town (187) and Hythe Town (127) and Larkin, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk admits that’s where the best players go to play their football.

“It would have been nice to have Mike Robbins’ budget from last year, I’ll tell you that much,” said Larkin, who works without a budget at Culverden Stadium.

“At one point it was substantial that’s why we had the Cable’s (Ross and Rikki), Luke Coleman and people like that but at the same time it’s brought the lads a lot closer together (this season, without a budget), because they’re here to improve.

“They’ve been coached very well, they’re being looked after before and after games and they’re a much closer unit this year.

“To be honest, it’s quite nice for me, this being my first year (in charge) to have to do it that way because you have to do a hell of a lot more as appose to chucking someone £60 to go to score you the goals. That’s not how I’m going to learn as a manager so it’s going to be a much nicer to work with people.

“The reputation that we’re getting for the coaching that we put on and the way that we look after people is certainly spreading around and that’s something we’ll have to build on next year.

“I think they’ll be a lot of teams next year that aren’t paying, unless your looking to get someone like Hythe, Herne Bay, who have substantial backing from their sponsors and board. The rest of the clubs are going to struggle I think. Obviously Greenwich Borough don’t pay and Erith & Belvedere have cut their budget quite a bit.

"A lot of people next year will look at it because if Ryman clubs are doing the same thing with their budgets it all trickles down and I think there will be a lot of teams next year not having a budget.

“It’s the same thing as having a salary cap in Rugby League and in America. If no-one’s paying then no-one’s getting the money and therefore the players go where the coaches are and where the grounds are.

“It evens itself all up. At the moment, Faversham are paying well, Hythe are still paying well, Herne Bay, so that’s where the best players all go to.

“It’s all about looking after them, making sure that they’re improving and giving them routes into the Ryman League if we don’t go up by bringing down scouts to look at them and moving them forward. We look after our lads down there and that’s the way to do it I think.”

Larkin, meanwhile, praised Simon Jones for the way that he has turned around the fortunes of local rivals Sevenoaks Town.

Jones, whose company Thales sponsor the Greatness Park outfit, has recently celebrated his second anniversary at the club, and are sitting proudly in third place in the Kent League table behind Herne Bay and champions-elect Faversham Town.

Sevenoaks are now only six points behind Herne Bay following their 2-0 win at Winch’s Field yesterday, courtesy of a 25-yard screamer from Joe Creasey and a cool finish from fellow striker Tony Atkins.

The balance of power has headed up the A21 from Culverden Stadium to Greatness Park, but Larkin appreciates the fine job that Jones has done.

“They’ve had a fantastic season so far, they really have,” said Larkin. “They’ve probably gone above their expectations and it’s great to have a local side doing so well in the league.

“But we do see them as them being on the same level as us so therefore it’s important to get some points on the board.

“Simon’s done a fantastic job over the last two years and he’s brought in some very good players, with a lot of pace and they should certainly be respected and we will have a game plan.”

Larkin and physically strong target man Benji Agana were in attendance for last week’s 2-2 draw over Beckenham Town in the Kent League Cup semi-final first leg.

And Larkin said: “It will be nice to play them again, obviously we had the farce of the game at our place a few weeks ago.

“They’ve got some very good players going forward and we have to be very, very tight at the back and look after that because they’re certainly a threat going forward with Creasy and Chris Walker, who won the FA Cup tie down here for them.

“We need to play very well on Tuesday night - the most important thing is getting the three points on the night.”

With his side in tenth place, Larkin is pleased with his first full season in charge at Culverden Stadium.

He said: “It seems to be the buzz word at the moment, everyone’s not paying but we really aren’t! In theory we should be in the bottom three but we’re not and we will finish around sixth, seventh or eighth. If we can push on and do better than that then fantastic.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Sevenoaks Town v Tunbridge Wells

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Tuesday 16th March 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5AA