We've achieved what we set out to do this year, says Erith & Belvedere boss Micky Collins

The Deres clinched the Kent Hurlimann League title at their last game after finishing two points clear of VCD Athletic and they can lift the Macron Kent League Cup if they beat fifth-placed Corinthian at Park View Road tomorrow.

“Looking forward to it,” said Collins on the eve of the match, which will be hosted by Conference South champions Welling United.

“It’s a good climax to the season really.  There’s been a little break now between our last league game and to the final and everyone’s geared up and buzzing for tomorrow.

“The lads have been in training twice this week and trained really well last night and they look really keyed up and buoyant and really looking forward to it.”

Corinthian were runners-up in this competition last season when they went down to a defeat to VCD Athletic in their first final – and Matt Longhurst’s side have only let in one goal in this season’s competition.

When asked what he’s expecting against Corinthian, Collins replied, “Tough game! It could go either way tomorrow. They’ve got a really good side that play the right way, play good football, young lads. I only found out in your previous interview that they don’t get paid, which is an amazing thing. Fair play to them. Matt’s done a really good job there and Tony (Sitford) before him.

“It’s going to be a really tough game tomorrow. It can go either way. It really could.”

Collins wants his side to collect two trophies this season – just like the London Red Buses that pass the ground and stop directly outside.

He said: “Of course. We want it to be like red buses. We want two to come along. We’ll wait and see. Tomorrow will tell by early afternoon it will be over and the season will be done.

“Home? We’re not! We’re playing on a neutral ground. We’re not at home!  We’re not in our own changing room but it’s our pitch but I think Corinthian will like the pitch as much as we do.

“We have our own game plan how we play on it and we’ll stick to that tomorrow.”

Collins revealed it will be an emotional day tomorrow because some of his players hang up their boots after the game.

“It will be a great day, but it will be a sad day because I lose a few players tomorrow,” he said.

“It will be an emotional day for everybody at the club because we’ve achieved what we set out to do this year, which was to win the league and get promotion. We’ve done that and to go and cap it with a cup triumph would be fantastic.”

Paul Springett retires and player-coach John Wilfort is unable to play in his final game tomorrow because he is ineligible having not been fit enough to play in the earlier rounds of this competition.

“John Wilfort will pack up playing tomorrow and during the summer we’ll discuss things. John has been immense for me in the three years he’s been here with me.

“He’s had an injury, come back and unfortunately he can’t play tomorrow because he’s ineligible because he hasn’t been able to play in one of the cup games.

“He’s been great with his coaching this year, getting the boys fit and he’s been great in the changing room and hopefully he stays with me whatever happens next season.

“There’s one more which has eluded me at the moment.”

Collins confirmed 29-goal target man Andy Constable – who has scored three fewer than Corinthian striker Alfie May, 19 – could play a part in the Ryman League next season.

“No! I don’t think Andy will retire. I think he will look for another season. Whether that’s with us, he knows he has to step his fitness up if he wants to do that.

“What a stalwart! He’s been there two seasons with me. I think he’s scored 70 goals in 80 odd games, he’s just been fantastic.

“He gets berated that he doesn’t move but he moves enough when he puts his arm up in the air after scoring all those goals!”

There has been plenty of talk around Kent League circles claiming that Erith & Belvedere will lose their grasp on the title after claims that the club played a suspended player back in October.

Collins was asked to tell the world his thoughts on such claims.

“Nothing! I’ve got no comment on that at the moment!”

But he added: “It’s going through the channels. All I’d like to say we know the truth. There’s a lot of rumour mill out there. People don’t know the full facts and we’re aware of the full facts and I’m actually quite convinced that we will still be champions by the time next season comes around.”

But Collins still doesn’t know whether the club will be placed in Ryman League Division One North or South.

“I know they’ve (The Football Association) have sat and I know the findings won’t go out until the 17^th May. That’s all we’re told and the stuff that’s going round Twitter and forums are rumours, they’re rumours.

“I’ll be amazing if somebody’s got that privileged information because if it was out it would be out now.

“I certainly don’t know whether it will be North or South.”

When asked what division he would like to be placed in, Collins said: “I think a lot of people want South, because the travelling in the North scares people a little bit.

“Actually being round the Kent football scene for a while and away from it for 12 years and back in it again I actually like a new challenge and the North would suit me.  I’ve not spent a lot of time playing over there so to go over there and manage would be a fresh thing.

“Also I think because we run on such a small budget we’ll have more of a chance of achieving anything over there if we were trying to compete in the South.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere  v  Corinthian
Macron Kent League Cup Final
Saturday 11^th May 2013
Kick Off 12:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY