You won't see anyone run away with it this year, says Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley

BECKENHAM TOWN boss Jason Huntley says it will be a tough league this season with a number of clubs throwing money to win the title.

The club finished in eighth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League last season and defeated Ashford United (4-0) and Corinthian (2-0) to win the Kent Senior Trophy and Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup respectively.

Their first two trophies were followed with the annual curtain raiser to the seson, the Challenge Shield following their brilliant 3-0 win at promoted Whyteleafe last Saturday.

There are now three pieces of silverware at Eden Park Avenue, all coming within a glorious 111 day period.

“It’s going to be tough this year,” warned Huntley, who watched Dulwich Hamlet’s 4-0 win at league rivals Holmesdale on Monday night.

League rivals Greenwich Borough have signed the likes of goalkeeper Gary Alexander, 34, who played League Two football for Burton Albion and signed former Crystal Palace defender Gary Borrowdale, 29, last night following his release from League One Gillingham.

“A few are throwing big money about,” said Huntley, who operates without a playing budget.

“I don’t always think that always works.  I know Jenko (Greenwich Borough manager Ian Jenkins), well good luck to him but I don’t always think that works when you’re throwing big money because big players don’t make best teams.  You’ve got to have a good combination there.

“I know a lot of their boys that have gone there and I know what sort of money they’re on, it’s astronomical, but we’ll see how the season unfolds.”

Beckenham Town kick-off their Southern Counties East Football League campaign with a trip to Rochester United on Saturday.

The Medway side finished in the bottom three last season and Huntley said: “We’ve maintained the players, added a few additions.  We look strong. We’ve got a lot more cover.  I’m looking forward to the season.

“I don’t want to say too much other than that it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be very tough but we’ll do our best.”

Beckenham Town’s opening home game is against Micky Collins’ Sevenoaks Town on Tuesday night.

The Oaks finished second from bottom last season and could be a dark horse this time around.

“I’ve heard a lot about them,” said Huntley.

“I haven’t seen them myself. People have been to see them and said they’ve got a good set-up down there.  They’ve got a lot of players’ around them.”

There are 20 sides in the league this season, meaning there will be an increase in league games this season.

Huntley said: “It’s going to be a tough season for everyone this year. You won’t see anyone run away with it this year. If I’m being honest, it’s going to be quite tight.

“There is a lot of good teams ploughing money into it and a couple of managers have come back into it who have contacts with players, so it’s going to be tough for everyone.”

Beckenham Town welcome Eastbourne Town to Eden Park Avenue in the Extra Preliminary Round of The FA Cup on Saturday, 16 August, with £1,500 in prize money up for grabs.

Eastbourne Town were relegated from the Ryman League Division One South last season and lost their star-striker Billy Medlock, who has signed for relegated Ryman Premier League club Tonbridge Angels.

“I don’t know a lot about them but whenever we play a higher division side – I know they got relegated - but for us they’re still a Ryman side so it will be a good game.

“I expect us to do well against the better teams.”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk  

Rochester United  v  Beckenham Town
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 9^th August 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Rede Court Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 3TU