We'll see how good Greenwich Borough are on August 9th, says Phoenix Sports boss Tony Beckingham

PHOENIX SPORTS’ joint-manager Tony Beckingham says he is looking forward to competing in the 20-team Southern Counties East Football League this season.



Phoenix were defeated 3-0 by Whyteleafe last night, who clinched the League title last season.

Greg Andrews scored twice before substitute Tommy Harper added a third at the death as John Fowler’s side bounced back from heavy home defeats to Bromley and Dulwich Hamlet.

Phoenix Sports play their final pre-season friendly on Saturday, against relegated Thamesmead Town.

Keith McMahon’s side lasted just one season in the Ryman Premier League and are looking to bounce back and are preparing for life back in the Ryman League Division One North.

“Keith McMahon’s looking to bounce back after the disappointment of last year,” said Beckingham.

“That’s going to be equally as tough.  For what it’s worth it’s a kind of a local derby for us as well. We know Keith, he’s well known down here. We all get on and it’s a good one to finish.

“I’d rather have these tough games and these good games rather than teams that are just going to roll over and learn nothing from so we’ll get that one out of the way, then we’ll have two training sessions next week, let’s get started for real.”

Phoenix Sports welcome big-spending Greenwich Borough to Mayplace Road East for the opening League game on Saturday, 9 August.

Ian Jenkins’ side hit the headlines during the summer with their failed attempt to prise Dutch superstar Edgar Davids, 41, to play for the club.

The club did pull off the signature of striker Gary Alexander, 34, who was playing League Two football for Burton Albion last season.

Phoenix Sports have pulled off their largest ever transfer coup by enticing star striker Jon Main, 33, to sign for the club last night and he got through 53 minutes on his debut last night.

This move, however, has signalled the release of former Bearsted striker Miles Cornwell, 24, despite his dad Tony Cornwell being on the club’s management team.

The striker, who was given 56 minutes last night before being replaced by former Tunbridge Wells’ midfielder Carl Cornell, tweeted: “Know any Kent League teams looking for a forward?

“I had a chat last night with the manager and the outcome is I am now looking for another club.”

Beckingham, meanwhile, is looking forward to the opening day clash against Greenwich Borough.

He said: “Everyone’s looking forward to that. It will be a good day either way, just to see what side they put out.

“I think everyone in the Kent League and above is looking to see just how good they’re going to be, so we’ll see on August 9^th.”

Greenwich Borough are clear favourites to win their first league title since 1988.

“They’re the team to beat on paper but like I say, let’s see on August 9^th,” said Beckingham.

“We’ll give it a go and we’ll see what they’re like and if they beat us because they’re better than us then good luck to them.

“I’ve got no problem with what they’re doing. I think we’re a little bit envious. We wish we had a little bit of the same but no problem at all. Good luck to them.  If they deserve to win against us and they (go on to) win the league then fair play. It’s been worth laying out the outlay.”

Phoenix Sports finished their inaugural Southern Counties East Football League campaign in the top six last season.

When asked what the club’s aspirations are this time around, Beckingham replied: “To beat it! Literally to beat it! Hopefully get some silverware and have a cup.

“Any team tries to win every single game and we will try to win the league, the same as every other team that’s in the league, but realistically it’s going to be tough.

“There’s some good sides in it this year. There’s a lot more teams in it, which means a lot more games and I think it’s going to be a really competitive league and I think everybody is looking forward to it just because it’s going to be different to the tried and tested Ken League that we knew in the past.

“And at the end of the year we might have somebody getting relegated. Let’s just hope it’s not us!”

Phoenix Sports will make history for themselves when on Saturday 16 August they play their first ever FA Cup tie.

The Barnehurst-based club have come a very long way in the very short space of time, considering they won the Kent County League Division Two West title in 2005.

The club will travel down to League rivals Deal Town, who are now managed by Darren Anslow, in the Extra Preliminary Round.

“Fantastic! Everyone at the club are excited,” said Beckingham.

“We’ve definitely got a coach down there. We’ll be looking at least one coach, maybe more and we’re going to make a great day of it.

“We’re going down to Deal and we’ve got a do back at the club after the game so win, lose or draw, we’re going to enjoy ourselves.

“It’s going to be a massively historic day and just shows where we’ve been and where we’re going to, so I think for the committee in particular, I think it’s absolutely superb for them and for all of us really.”

Visit Phoenix Sports’ website: www.phoenixsportsclub.org