10thjune05

Players have set their own standards

HIGH on the agenda for Herne Bay manager Jason Lillis is finding a replacement for highly-rated striker Danny Kedwell - who was one of six new signings already made by Welling United boss Adrian Pennock, writes Stephen McCartney.

And in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk Lillis' admitted he is keeping it low key during the summer but he did reveal he is close to signing a striker from a higher level to replace the Park View Road bound striker.

"It's quiet at the moment," said the former Gillingham star.  "All my players know that they are reporting back apart from Danny Kedwell, whose at Welling. 

"I am talking to players to see if they fancy coming down to play for us."

Lillis revealed many clubs were after Kedwell's signature before he opted to sign for the Nationwide Conference South club.

"I am pleased for him.  We always knew he was going to go because I was in contact with other managers.  Other clubs were involved because he was very popular.

"I am in the middle of talking to someone but they are on holiday and will give me an answer when they come back." Lillis revealed.

Finishing runners-up to Ramsgate in the Kent League and reaching a cup final was above expectations for the Winch's Field club but Lillis' will not be drawn into making any predictions for next season.

"If someone said to us that we were going to finish second and reaching a cup final we would have taken it," he said. 

"I am not making any predictions as I never do but the boys know they have set their own standards now."