I have arguably the toughest job in Kent football, admits Crockenhill boss Liam Kelly

CROCKENHILL manager Liam Kelly says he is really looking forward to taking charge of his first league game on Saturday.

The Crocks open their Kent Invicta League campaign with a home game against newly-promoted side Forest Hill Park.

“I’m expecting a close game between two sides that have a lot to prove,” said Kelly.

“It’s been a difficult pre-season for us. Most clubs have a nucleus of players from the previous year to draw back on but this whole squad has been put together from players’ from my past somewhere over the last nine years and it’s taken some time to gel.

“That said, I’m very happy with what I have at present. We’ve set ourselves up with a system and if we conceded it’s because either the players aren’t doing what’s required or the opposition have been very creating and earned a goal.

“John Bourke and I have arguably the toughest job in Kent football but hopefully after this season is done people can say to us ‘well done’!”

Kelly wants to attract as many people as possible to Wested Meadow for Saturday’s opening game.

He said: “Looking at Saturday, I’d like to put a team that suits Forest Hill Park’s style but as they’ve been secret squirrel all pre-season, its’ very difficult to know how they’ll set up and consequently what team I feel I should put out.

“All I do know is that my team will enter the field with pride and passion.”

The club finished with only Kent Football United and Lewisham Borough below them in the table last season.

Kelly said: “Away from the football side the club have secured three initial sponsors and a groundshare which has allowed minimal costs to the players themselves, but we are still looking for one more £1,000 sponsorship to get us looking the part.

“Wested Meadow has a reputation of being not a great place to come to but I see it a little differently.  It’s full of character.

“VCD, Cray Valley, Meridian and Glebe (the new grounds) are all almost identical, very nice but lack individuality. When you visit The Crocks you walk back in time, a club rich in history and ambition, just without the tools to achieve those goals.”

Crockenhill  v  Forest Hill Park
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 8^th August 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Wested Meadow Ground, Eynsford Road, Crockenhill, Kent BR8 8EJ