We won't go in there thinking we've just done well to get there, says VCD boss Tony Russell

The Crayford based club clinched the Ryman League Division One North title on a dramatic final day of last season and will be playing at their highest level of football in their history when the new season kicks off on Saturday 9 August.

They begin their campaign with two Kent derbies, with a trip to relegated Tonbridge Angels before welcoming Maidstone United to Oakwood on 12 August.

The Angels have spent the last three years playing Conference South football and the Longmead Stadium clash will be Steve McKimm’s first league game in charge of the club since his arrival after six years at Sutton United under Paul Doswell.

Russell is relishing the two derby games.

“I’ve been to watch them both. I went to watch Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United. They’re really good. They’re both really good clubs. They’ll be good. Both managers are talking about play-offs and going up and things like that.  It tells you exactly where they are as football clubs.

“I’ve been to Maidstone for a youth game once when VCD were playing there. It was the first time I’ve been there in a game. It’s impressive. They’ve got a great set-up. People in the car park, a steward for this and a steward for that.

“It’s a different level, but we’re at the same level, but you understand what I mean? 

“It’s fantastic. It will be nice.  Every dealing I’ve had with (Maidstone United manager) Jay Saunders has been really good. He’s always come across like a really good man, a nice man.  I’ve got a lot of time for him so it will be interesting to pit my wits against him and see how we get on.”

The opening day of the season will see the return of Ray “Razor” Powell – Russell’s number two – to a club were he’s worshipped.

“I expect a hostile crowd,” said Russell.

“Razor is looking forward to it! He tells me he’s a fans’ favourite. His adamant they’ve got a song for him and everything so all the boys are giving him stick.  If their crowd don’t sing a song about him he’s going to get buried!”

VCD Athletic will be arguably the smallest club in the Ryman Premier League this season – but Russell has the qualities to ensure their stay in the big-time will not be a short one.

“We’ll back ourselves against anyone. Simple as that. I won’t sit here and make predictions.

“We’ll watch the games. We’ll do some prep work. We’ll won’t go there for a draw. We’ll try and win it.

“I believe every single game I go in I believe I can win, whether I do or not that remains to be seen.

“We won’t go in there thinking we’ve just done well to get there. That’s a load of rubbish! 

“We might as well say we’ll go up there and have our pants pulled down and get slapped around for seven months and we’ll wave to everyone on the way out.

“A lot of comparisons are made with us and Thamesmead because of similar size of club.  I know them, they know us.

“We’ve got no plans to go up there and do a Thamesmead (getting relegated after one season), don’t get going until it’s too late.

“I spoke to (Thamesmead manager Keith McMahon), he’s very good. I’ve seen him at the Ryman do and he gave me what he thought was a good idea to win games and what did and didn’t work for him, which I appreciate.

“He knows, as everyone else, I have my own way of doing it. I’ll do it my way.

“We go there, we’ll impose ourselves. I think we’ve got a good side.  I think our system will cause people problems. We’ll find out, won’t we.”

Russell insists he will continue to play his eye-catching brand of passing from the back football that got him where he is now.

“That’s the only way I know. It’s the only way I can coach,” he said.

“I was at Thamesmead as player-coach. The reason why I left there because we stopped doing it.  We did it in pre-season and we stopping playing it. 

“I went to Keith (McMahon) and I didn’t agree with it.  Keith was really good and said I probably needed to go into management because as a coach you have to do what the manager wants and he’s right.

“This is why I came away. I can’t do it any other way.  I couldn’t come to football, I take no satisfaction about smacking the ball long and win 1-0.  It would personally give me the hump! I just want to enjoy it.”

VCD Athletic welcome their Conference Premier neighbours Dartford to Oakwood on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

Meanwhile, the club have a vacancy for a commercial manager.  All applicants should send their CV to Chris Dudley by email to chris.dudley@ntlworld.com.