We worked really hard to try to keep Dan Eason at the club, says Herne Bay chairman Trevor Kennett

HERNE BAY manager Simon Halsey has acted quickly after losing highly-rated goalkeeper Dan Eason to their league rivals Hythe Town yesterday.



Eason, who spent five years at Winch’s Field, helped the club clinch the Kent League title and reach the FA Carlsberg Vase Semi-Finals last season.

Hythe Town boss Scott Porter said following his side’s 4-3 home defeat to Maidstone United at the weekend that he had some money to strengthen his side after releasing defender Nick Reeves before Christmas.

Herne Bay chairman Trevor Kennett issued the following statement on the club’s website: “Dan has been a very loyal servant of the club and a fantastic goalkeeper for the Bay has decided that after five years he has achieved all he can with us and needs a new challenge elsewhere.

“We are obviously devastated to be losing Dan and the directors of the club worked really hard to try and keep Dan, but we respect his decision. He is a fantastic lad and will always be an important part of our history and I wish him well.”

The Ryman League Division One South club has acted very swiftly to react to the news and are delighted to announce the signing of Rob French, an experienced and talented goalkeeper whose previous clubs include Ebbsfleet United, Faversham Town and Whitstable Town.

Manager Simon Halsey said: “I am very pleased to get such a fantastic replacement and I am excited to bring Rob to the club, who is a very good and experienced goalkeeper.

“I worked with Rob at Whitstable so I know what he can do and I know he will be a valuable asset to the Bay.”

Herne Bay, who are on a run of nine games without a win and have slipped down to seventeenth-place in the table, ten points clear of the sole relegation place, travel to seventh-placed Burgess Hill Town on Saturday.

Quotes courtesy of www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay

Burgess Hill Town v  Herne Bay
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12^th January 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8DL