Big crowd expected at The Belmont for Canterbury City's return

A crowd of over 1,000 is expected to flock through the turnstiles at The Belmont on Saturday, 21^st July, as Ryman League newcomers Whitstable Town welcome Canterbury City in a historic pre-season friendly, writes Stephen McCartney.

Canterbury City are expected to be welcomed into the British Energy Kent County League at their annual general meeting next month as the club begin the long road back following it’s sad demise in 1999.

And Whitstable Town chairman Mr Tony Rouse is delighted that his club will be playing their first ever game as a Ryman League club against the re-born club.

Whitstable have just finished their most successful campaign in their 122-year history, winning the Kent League title for the very first time and they also beat a very good Bearsted side 1-0 to win the Kent Senior Trophy at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium last month.

But their treble dream was dashed as Thamesmead Town won the Kent League Cup final 3-0 at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium yesterday.

Mr Rouse confirmed the club has been given the all-clear to play Ryman League Division One South football on 18^th August.

He dismissed rumours that The Belmont had failed Ryman League ground criteria.

“All systems go, we’ve ticked all the boxes, dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday.

“We’ve had the Ryman League down, we haven’t got a problem at all.

“We’ve got a little bit of work to do. It’s mainly just painting and signage and usual stuff but really, it’s a credit to my committee and all the hard work from the supporters over the past couple of years that’s got us into the situation.

“What we tried to do was put our house in order first off the pitch so we can allow Marc (Seager) and his players on the pitch to do the job and they’ve done it.”

Mr Rouse believes Whitstable Town have won the treble as they’ll be playing Ryman League football next season, which includes lucrative home games against giants Dartford and Dover Athletic.

“We didn’t play today and I know that but in my heart of hearts I feel we’ve got a treble because we won the Kent Senior Trophy, we won the League and we’ve got promotion. To me, that’s a wonderful season.

“I can’t possibly put a dampner on this and how nice that an opposing manager would pay our club such wonderful compliments that (Thamesmead manager Keith McMahon) just done.

“I think we’re trying to go about things the right way.  Everybody is welcomed at our place and we’re trying to take that ethos into the Ryman League.

“And me saying that, Whitstable Town in the Ryman League, sounds good!”

Speaking about their first ever match as a Ryman League club, Mr Rouse is delighted to invite Canterbury City to The Belmont for their historic return.

“The first game of the season at Whitstable is going to be a big one. It’s going to be the new, reformed Canterbury City,” he proudly announced.

“I spoke to their chairman Phil Knight, we’ve arranged the date and it’s going to be the first time that Canterbury City are back in senior football in the local area and we’ve sadly missed them.

“We’ve had Faversham come back this year - it’s going to be a real fun day.

“It’s a big, big day for Canterbury City and hosts for us it’s going to be our first time as a Ryman League club that we’ve played anyone at the Belmont - we’re really looking forward to it.”

Mr Rouse admitted yesterday’s Kent League Cup final defeat at the hands of a Thamesmead Town side that had finished in fourth place, was “a game too far”.

“He (Keith McMahon) said after the Lord Mayor’s show and I think it probably was,” he said.

“I’m sure the boys, after the euphoria of winning the League for the first time in the club’s history, 122 years, was just a little bit too much on their shoulders, I think, and full credit to Thamesmead.

“Keith just said they really did play us off the park today.”

Meanwhile, as from today, Whitstable Town fans will notice that all articles on the club will be inserted into our Ryman League pages.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk would like to welcome you into the Ryman League and wish you well!

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

For more information on the re-birth of Canterbury City, please visit their website www.canterburycityfc.com