We don't see the point throwing money at it, says Erith & Belvedere boss Micky Collins

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Micky Collins says his side have had a very positive season – but he pointed the finger of blame in the direction of former player Michael Abnett for not giving his side the chance to play in the Kent Senior Trophy Final.



The Park View Road outfit finished runners-up to Herne Bay, which was their best campaign since winning the Kent League title back in 1982.

They also reached the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Final, but they were thrown out of the final when it was spotted that Abnett didn’t have international clearance when he played for the club against Cray Valley (Paper Mills) in the quarter-finals.

Erith & Belvedere were due to face Sevenoaks Town at Park View Road last month, but the Kent County Football Association gave Cray Valley (Paper Mills) and beaten semi-finalists Hollands & Blair a second bite of the cherry. 

Hollands & Blair accepted their second chance by beating Steve Chapman’s side 2-0 and they became the first Kent Invicta League side to win the silverware when they defeated Sevenoaks Town 2-1 in the final.

The Kent Senior Trophy winners traditionally play in the Kent Senior Cup the following year, but Hollands & Blair boss Paul Piggott said last night that the club haven’t received confirmation of their participation in next season’s Kent Senior Cup.

Speaking after his side’s 3-2 away win at Seven Acre & Sidcup, Piggott said: “No, we’ve not heard a thing yet, not as far as I know anyway!

“Whether they’ll let us in because we’re Hollands & Blair, who knows, but we deserve to be there so I think we should be in there, but we’ve not heard anything yet, so we’ll wait for our reaction when we hear.”

Piggott added: “For our players at our level to win that Cup, for me is something special and I don’t think it’s sunk in at the club because it’s something special.  Having an average season to take that out of it is good.”

Reflecting on his side’s season, Erith & Belvedere boss Collins said: “Good season.  Very positive season.  Highest placing, I think the club has had in thirty years.

“To reach the Kent Senior Trophy Final was a good achievement. Unfortunately circumstances beyond our control we never got to play in it, but a good season all round.”

Collins felt his club’s elimination was a bitter pill to swallow.

He said: “As a player or a manager it’s devastating news when it’s a clerical error.  Deep down and looking back at the facts and knowing what’s gone on, the player is to blame ultimately and then it’s transpired that we haven’t checked something it’s sad. It’s sad for the players that they never played in that game.

“Ultimately I felt it took a little bit away of the final that I watched.  I know Sevenoaks weren’t happy to play someone else and I know Hollands & Blair were pleased to go back through, but it took a bit of gloss of the final if I’m honest.

“Of course it’s a shame, but rules are rules and you have to adhere by them and we had to go by that. 

“Also we’ve lost three points in the league, which luckily hasn’t cost us the title, but it could have lost us second place, which would have been upsetting as well.”

The club lost the services of club secretary Frank May over the blunder.  Mr May was one of the most professional club secretaries in the league and along with his counterparts at Tunbridge Wells (Phil Allcorn) and Fisher (Dan York) he kept spectators informed of what’s going on during the match with excellent announcements during the entire game over the public address system.

“Frank was an asset at the club,” admitted Collins. “The thing is with non-league football finding people to do the amount of work that volunteers have to do, including myself, Frank, the directors and chairman.

“Everybody behind the scenes at the football club puts in an awful lot of effort and Frank was someone who did that and I would like to think one day the door will stay open and it would be great for someone like Frank can step back through, but that’s not my decision. All I concentrate on is the football side.”

With their points deduction in mind, Erith & Belvedere finished their campaign nine points behind an excellent Herne Bay side, who also reached the semi-finals of the FA Carlsberg Vase and will grace the Ryman League with their fine passing game.

“Herne Bay were exceptional,” said Collins. “To get to the last four of the Vase is one hell of an achievement and they’re a really good side.  We were fortunate enough to beat them home and away in the league, but take nothing away from them, they are a really good side and I wish them all the success in the future in the Ryman.”

Collins added: “We came in with a two-year plan to try to get promotion and we’ve fallen short of that.  Christmas we had to cut our cloth financially and we’ve done exceptionally well after that with the squad of players’ that we’ve got.  There’s a fantastic atmosphere around the club.   Obviously we’ll push on and see how high we can go next season.”

Collins revealed that striker Andy Constable, 33, who finished the campaign on his personal best of 35 goals will be staying at the club.

He said: “Andy has had a great season. His attitude is exemplary.   He comes in, he’s so professional. He never missed a training session, he works so hard.  He came in pre-season and got in great shape and I know that doesn’t always look like – but he did get in great shape.

“I played with Andy when I was at Tonbridge Angels and I knew what he’s strengths were so we played to that this season. He’s been phenomenal for us – 35 goals is a great season.

“Andy has committed his future with us for next season, which is great.”

When asked about his squad building plans for next season, Collins said: “We’ve put out feelers for players that we’re interested in.  Obviously now the season is over so we can talk to them and we will add to it but we don’t have to go quite mad with it.  We’ve got enough players around us to go and compete.

“We’ve proved that this season, as I said earlier, unfortunately when finances change and things do happen, players’ do go.  They go to other places and players’ do go to other clubs and you have to strengthen.”

Collins revealed he will sit down with contracted striker Marcus Cassius, who returned to Kent following a spell away with Ryman League outfit Chipstead, soon.

“I need to talk to Marcus and I will be speaking to Marcus in the next couple of days as to his future.  He had an option on that contract for another season but we will sit down with him and speak about that with him.”

Looking ahead to next season, the Erith & Belvedere long-suffering faithful will be hoping their club can go one better.

Collins said: “There’s a lot of rumours that people are going to be throwing big money at it – but I can assure people that won’t be us!

“We’ll work well within our restraints. We don’t see the point throwing money at it and not having it the next season if you’re lucky enough to go up.

“We’re working in the same restrains we had since Christmas.  I’m well happy with that. I’ve spoken to the chairman and the directors and we’re all happy to move forward in that direction and we’ll do what we can.

“We’ve proved this season and a lot of other clubs have that you don’t have to pay big money to generate a great team spirit and get results on the pitch.

“That’s a testament to the players that stayed and the management team that you work hard with your resources that you can afford and that’s it.”

Collins said former Crystal Palace and Bromley striker Grant Watts has played a key part in the club’s growth on the pitch.

“I think bringing Grant Watts into the management team was a massive plus. He’s certainly helped me and he’s been a massive boost to the players as well.”