I'm looking to build a side that is capable of promotion into the Ryman South, says newly-appointed Canterbury City joint-boss Ben Smith

NEWLY-APPOINTED Canterbury City joint-manager Ben Smith says he has unfinished business to do at the club.

Smith has left his role as the under 18 manager of Ryman League Division One South club Herne Bay to return to Canterbury City, where he will work alongside Ada Gower as joint-manager.



Ben Smith has left Herne Bay, where he was under 18 manager, to take joint-charge of Canterbury City
Photo: Herne Bay FC

The club finished in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League table last season and will be playing on the new 3G pitch at Homelands Stadium in Ashford again next season.

On Smith’s watch, Herne Bay’s under 18s were very successful, winning the Kent Youth League Premier Division title in 2013-14 along with a number of knockout tournament successes.

Several of the young players coached by Smith has already appeared in Herne Bay’s first team including Elliot Cutts, Kane Butler and goalkeeper Ben Kitcherside. 

A good number of the squad regularly appeared for Kent’s under 18 representative side.

“I am delighted to become the manager of this club, a club that I have had previous successes with both as player and also as youth team manager,” said Canterbury-born Smith.

“Whilst achieving a lot with the club in my first spell on both sides I certainly believe I have unfinished business here and I’m excited by the opportunity to surpass any previous successes alongside Ada.

“It was a tough decision to leave Herne Bay FC as I have enjoyed some fantastic times and developed working alongside Sam Denly and Gavin Theze who have worked miracles down there and I intend to use the experience gained from them to drive this club forward to match the off-pitch ambitions that the club has.

“The team performed creditably last season and it is a case of building on this and with Ada working alongside me there will be good continuity but there will also be opportunities for players to come in and be a part of the challenge.

“With the stadium plans progressing well, I am looking to build a side that is capable of promotion into the Ryman South but that will take time and the aim is to do this in conjunction with the stadium build.

“For the time being, playing at Ashford United FC with their new 3G pitch will be perfect for us as it will suit the style of football that we will look to play and provide our players with some of the best facilities in the area.

“Hopefully the supporters of old and new will share in our excitement that we can provide the City with a Football club that they can be proud of.”

Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.com