The chairman's ambitious and wants to move Bearsted forward, says boss Tony Cornwell

BEARSTED boss Tony Cornwell says his chairman wants him to ensure their stay in the newly formed Kent Invicta Step Six League is a short one, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Otham outfit are currently in the process of improving facilities at Honey Lane and the former Maidstone United stalwart is looking forward to the challenges ahead in the new league.

“The club’s had some good news, obviously they’ve got the planning permission now, which they’ve struggled to get for a number of years, for floodlights and a stand, so they’re now pushing forward to get some money raised,” said Cornwell.

“They hope to have a 100-odd stand erected during the close season and the floodlights to follow shortly after.

“Their ambition, obviously, is to get promoted one level into the Kent League.”

The Kent Invicta League kicks-off in August and will be an unknown quantity.

Cornwell, who took over the reigns from Paul McDonagh at the beginning of April and in his eleven games in charge the Bears won six, drew four and lost one, said, “It’s very much unknown with the extent of the actual 16-17 teams.  I’m still not sure who is taking up the positions.  I know Ashford United will be one of the frontrunners with their ground.  Hollands & Blair, I’ve heard they’ve had an appeal and they’re trying to get in it again.  There’s a meeting in early June to finalise that. 

“We’ll be looking to get a squad together to try and compete for promotion.

“When I took over in the first week of April the signing on part of that was all closed so I had to work with the squad that we’ve got at Bearsted.  I’ve already had enquiries from players that have played with me at Maidstone, they will certainly come down pre-season and like to get involved.”

Cornwell, 51, who lives in Maidstone, and played semi-professionally for Canterbury City, Faversham Town and Tunbridge Wells, spent ten seasons with Maidstone United and he is relishing the home pre-season friendly against Jay Saunders’ side on 16 July.

He said: “I’ve spent a lot of time with Maidstone – ten seasons – through the youth team, through to the reserves and first team and I’ve lived with Maidstone all my life so I’ve got an association with a lot of players and people at the club so it’s nice to arrange a friendly with them. “

The Bears also welcome Kent League side Erith Town – the current Kent Senior Trophy holders – to Honey Lane on 6 August, and Cornwell, who can be contacted on 07708 202 743, is looking to arrange away friendlies for 23 and 30 July.

He added: “We need more really to give us five or six pre-season friendlies against a good standard to get us ready for the new league.”

On paper, Tony Reynold’s Ashford United would be classed as title favourites, due to the fact that Homelands Stadium will feel like Wembley Stadium to the rest of the league, who play at modest venues.

Two seasons ago, Ashford Town were playing Ryman League Division One South football and playing on sports’ pitches around Kent will be a culture shock to their supporters – some that supported Hythe Town during their Kent League title winning campaign last season.

Whether those same fans that watched Ashford at club’s such as Kingstonian, Dulwich Hamlet, Chatham Town and Sittingbourne, for example, will want to watch their club play at the likes of Meridian or Crockenhill is another matter – and Hythe Town will be hoping to attract Ashford residents to Reachfields Stadium for their inaugural Ryman League Division One South campaign.

“Going back to Ashford will be good,” said Cornwell, who was Peter Nott’s number two when the Stones groundshared at Homelands Stadium.

 “They’re (Ashford United) going to have to rebuild a complete new side so that will be interesting to see who they recruit in their squad.”

Cornwell will need to do his homework on his rivals, as he admitted he doesn’t know too much about the sides coming in from elsewhere.

He said: “Other side’s in it, I’ve only got a list of names, but I know there’s quite a few from the Kent County League that have applied; Cray Valley, Woodstock, Bly Spartans.  There’s a mixture of teams that I already know about and some that I don’t. 

“Crockenhill are from a lower league in the County League and I understand Erith & Dartford Town are a new side and I don’t know too much about them at all so it will be interesting to say the least – so we will have to suck it and see.”

But he added: “The chairman’s ambitious and wants to move the club forward.  It will be very nice to win it in the first year but I’m hoping to bring in players to strengthen a good side and challenge for it really.”

Visit Bearsted’s website: www.bearstedfc.co.uk