I didn't want to be out of football for too long, says Whitstable Town's Simon Halsey

SIMON HALSEY says he’s excited about returning to Whitstable Town as assistant manager to Will Graham.

 

Halsey was Marc Seager’s number two when the club won the Kent League title for the first time in their history back in 2007 which sealed promotion into the Ryman League.

The club finished in a personal best of eighth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table in what proved to be Jim and Danny Ward’s only season in charge of the club before returning to manage league rivals Ramsgate.

Halsey controversially parted company with the Rams at the end of last season despite keeping the club in the Ryman League.

“I had a couple of conversations with a couple of Ryman South clubs, Whitstable being one of them,” said Halsey.

“Will contacted me, sat me down and had a chat. I had a think about it for a week or so, it sounded exciting. I’m happy to be on board, happy to be on board, simple as that!

“It didn’t take me much to get me there to be honest after being back in it for the latter part of last season. I didn’t want to be out of it for too long. Now I’m back in it and hopefully now help Will out, who is a young manager and move Whitstable on this season really.”

Reflecting on his first spell at Whitstable Town, Halsey said: “We had a great successful spell, obviously won the Kent League and we got into the Kent Senior Cup Final against Welling. We lost heavily that night but we done well myself and Seages.

“Sometimes it’s nice to go back to somewhere.

“I did put myself around to stay at the club when Marc left the club but Muns (Mark Munday) didn’t want me as a number two or something so I moved on and the rest is history.

“But I’m back there now so I’m really excited and really looking forward to it.”

Halsey is relishing the chance to help rookie manager Graham, who played a part in the club’s successful campaign as first team coach last season.

“That’s why I’ve gone there really, to help him and help him in his career,” revealed Halsey.

“Hopefully I can help him on his way and years’ to come he’ll be able to look back and say it was great having Simon on board and we were successful together and he learnt something off me.  That’s why I’m going there for.

“There’s a lot of snipers out there, people saying I’m after his job but we’ve spoken about that and that’s not the case. I’m going there to aid him and help him on his road to becoming a successful manager - so that’s what it’s all about.”

Halsey has had a number of roles during his career at clubs such as Dartford, VCD Athletic, Whitstable Town, Herne Bay, Lordswood, Fisher and Ramsgate.

Halsey was joint-manager alongside Billy Walton at Fisher at the start of last season and the man that brought Carpet Football to that club says he is looking for a way back into the game.

Walton said: “I would love to come back in the game, if you know anyone?”

Halsey added: “When I was a coach for 14-15 years I enjoyed that. When I was manager at Herne Bay and at Ramsgate I enjoyed that. Whatever role it is I’m at a club I’ll enjoy it and do it at the best of my capability,” he said.

“Hopefully this move will be the best of everything really. Helping Will out with managing, helping the young lad whose coming in doing the coaching and being part of everything really so I’m going to enjoy the whole lot.”

There has been no love lost between Whitstable and Ramsgate and needle is expected when the two Kent coast outfits play each other next season.

The Rams have unveiled a number of players who wore Whitstable red last season, including striker Ian Pulman, who scored 26 goals for the Oystermen last time out.

Halsey said: “Well, let’s be honest, you would have thought people would have just stayed under the radar after the hectic season Ramsgate had last year.

“Some of them have that haven’t signed have gone back to Whitstable. It will be what it will be, come pre-season.

The merry-go-round is underway. We all know the pics of people singing documents and stuff can’t happen because the forms aren’t out so we’ll do our business quietly and stay under the radar and what players we’ll have will be the ones that we want so we’ll make sure he’ll get the right ones.

“Hopefully Will’s going to rebuild a side with myself helping him and we’re trying to finish the eighth finish set by the Ward brothers is the highest that Whitstable have finished since they’ve been in the Ryman League and Will, hopefully, is going to emulate that along with the players, myself and everyone else involved in the club.

“That’s got to be our aspirations – nothing else other than that!

“Does it have to happen this season, higher than eighth? Perhaps not! Over the next three years to build a side and a club, yes then definitely.”

Meanwhile, Whitstable supporters can meet their new manager and chairman Gary Johnson as the club stage an open forum inside their clubhouse tomorrow night at 19:00.


Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk