We're trying to finish the job we set out to do, says Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey admits he is under pressure to win the Kent League title at the end of this season, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Winch’s Field outfit have been runners-up for the past two years (as well as winning back-to-back Kent League Cup’s), but the club have a new chairman in Trevor Kennett and Halsey knows his side must deliver promotion into the Ryman League next April.


“It’s great for someone new to take over but it’s sad for John (Bathurst) to sit down after twelve years,” said Halsey.

“He’s achieved a lot after twelve years off his own shoulders and his own finances.  I thanked him for giving me the first opportunity in management, for which I will be ever grateful for him.

“He’s still around the club (as secretary/treasurer). We’ve got a new chairman but John’s going to be a massive part as to why the club is where it is at the moment.

“He could quite easily stepped down as chairman, and he spent a lot of money after 12 years and walk away.  It’s just one of those clubs no one wants to walk away from, as we’ve seen with the players.”

Appreciating that the new chairman wants promotion at the end of this season, Halsey said: “I’m under a bit of pressure now.  He wants things, he wants a run in the FA Cup, another good run in the Vase and he wants to win the Kent League.”

Herne Bay begin their eight-match pre-season campaign when Bethnal Green United visit Winch’s Field tomorrow.

With Halsey away in Cyprus on a family holiday, the team will be taken by reserve team boss Anthony Deer and Halsey’s newly appointed assistant manager, Dave Sheepwash.

“I don’t come back until after the Lewisham Borough game,” said Halsey.

“Deery’s obviously there in charge of it and Dave Sheepwash, who is going to be my number two.  I’ve done three sessions before I left, they all know what’s happening.  All the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed, so it shouldn’t be a problem.  It’s just games, they can get on without me.  I’ve got a family wedding that I’m out here in Cyprus for.”

Sheepwash is working towards his A and Academy Licences and Halsey is looking forward to working with him.

“I think he will be a bonus and take pressure away from me at training nights and prior to the matches on a Saturday and midweek and it will give me a chance to what I should be doing, talking to players, getting our game plan set, whilst he does the warm up’s.  He will be a good addition for me, hopefully,” said Halsey, who worked without an assistant manager last season.

Halsey has told the Herne Bay faithful: “Friendlies are friendlies. I don’t think we won one last year if I remember.  It was a bit of a struggle in pre-season, everyone was moaning, but look at the season we had.

“As I’ve said to you last year, I don’t look into friendlies too much.  I’ve got trailists to look at, it’s just a case of people getting match fitness and looking at the trialists.

“The whole squad has signed, only Dave Crofts is the only departure.  Other than that everyone has signed and the trialists, who I am looking at and they will strengthen the squad.

“Getting players in like Ollie Bartram (from Folkestone Invicta), Bradley Spice (Thamesmead Town), Tom Parker has come from Whitstable, James Sherman (Faversham Town).  I’ve got to make sure I sign the right players, so exciting times for the club.”

Striker Spice, meanwhile, later issued the following statement, saying, “I have received a few phone calls from Simon and had an offer from them, but I have not even trained with Herne Bay let alone signed or been on trial with them.

“I haven’t made my mind up on next season yet as I am speaking to a number of clubs and still deciding what’s best for me.”

Herne Bay lost the Kent League title in the last two seasons to two sides (Faversham Town and Hythe Town) who adopted a successful direct style, but Halsey insists his side will keep faith with their attractive passing game.

He said: “We won’t change our philosophy, put it like that!  There’s no way myself or anyone at the club will change it.  I just need another one of my other strikers to join in with Byron (Walker) and scores goals.  That is the only difference this year.  Whoever gets in my team alongside Byron to score goals will be the one that plays alongside Byron.

“That’s the only reason why we lost it (title) – if someone else chipped in with a couple of other goals we would have won a couple of those games that we drew, so I need people to join in and score goals with Byron.

“Other than that, defensively we’re fine and midfield were fine – we just need someone else to chip in with goals.

“Byron’s signed up, when he was touted by a lot of club’s.  He put pen to paper before I went away, so it’s great.”

Darren Marsden, the most talented player in the Kent League, opted to sign for Ryman League Division One South neighbours Faversham Town, but after a team holiday in Magaluf, the midfield playmaker has made a U-turn and will be staying put.

Halsey added: “We had a great time, the whole of us.  Darren just realised he didn’t want to be away and try to finish the job that we all set out to do as a unit a couple of years ago, so it’s great to have him back!”

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

Herne Bay  v  Bethnal Green United
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 9^th July 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG