Sponsor pulls the net from underneath Herne Bay

HERNE BAY secretary John Bathurst insists it is “business as usual” despite news that their main sponsor has withdrawn their financial backing of the club, writes Stephen McCartney.


Herne Bay are unbeaten at the top of the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with ten wins and two draws from 12 games and booked their place in the last 64 of The FA Carlsberg Vase following a resilient 3-1 win over Winchester City at Winch’s Field last weekend.

Manager Simon Halsey takes his side to play Combined Counties League side Hanworth Villa in the Third Round on 3 December.

Mr Bathurst, who stood down as chairman at the end of last season and handed over the reins to Trevor Kennett, told the club’s playing staff of the current situation at tonight’s training session.

Mr Bathurst issued the following statement on the club’s website www.hernebayfc.net:

“Safety Net Associates have advised that owing to the current financial climate they are withdrawing their sponsorship to the club with immediate effect and under the circumstances Trevor Kennett has decided his position as chairman is untenable and so he is standing down, also with immediate effect.

“The club would like to thank Trevor and Safety Net Associates for their tremendous support over the last three seasons.  Their support enabled the club to move forward on and off the pitch and to be a very dominant force in Step 5 football.

“The club have reacted swiftly to this announcement and are in talks with other potential sponsors.

“The new chairman will be announced later this week. 

“In the meantime it is business as usual with concentration on our forthcoming fixtures against Fisher on Saturday and Hanworth Villa in the FA Vase on Saturday week.”

Safety Net Associates pulled out of their sponsorship of the Kent League after just one season in June 2011, citing a lack of support from member clubs’.

Herne Bay finished Kent League runners-up to Faversham Town and Hythe Town during the last couple of seasons, but won back-to-back Kent League Cup titles following wins over Sevenoaks Town and Hythe Town during that time.

The club also reached the Fourth Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase last season but went out to eventual winners Whitley Bay.

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net