Daish urges all Kent fans to watch his side - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Monday 09th October 2006

Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish has issued a rallying cry to all Kent football fans at a loose end on Tuesday night to come to Stonebridge Road to watch his side play Stafford Rangers in the Nationwide Conference, writes Stephen McCartney.

With Ashford Town, Dartford, Sittingbourne and Tonbridge Angels in action above the Kent League, there are thousands of Kent football fans that will be forced to sit in front of the television instead of watching quality football.

The Fleet lost their nine game unbeaten run at Weymouth in front of SKY television cameras last week, but bounced back by beating Cambridge United 2-0 on Saturday.

A crowd of 1,132 watched Fleet’s fourth home win of the season (they’ve only lost once at Stonebridge Road all season), but Daish calls upon other Kent football fans to beef that up to 1,500.

When asked why Kent football fans should watch his side in action, Daish replied EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk : “Because I think they will get value for money. They will see a young side that is willing to work hard and run hard and you will get value for money.”

With his side eighth place in the Nationwide Conference table - seven points adrift of second placed Dagenham & Redbridge - Daish is pleased that their rivals are respecting his side.

Liam Daish calls upon all Kent football fans without a game to watch his side play
Stafford Rangers at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night
Photo: www.gnfc.co.uk

“I was very pleased with the performance at Weymouth,” he said. “We took the game to them, we asked questions, but we didn’t get the breaks and didn’t take our chances.”

After losing their long unbeaten run, Daish was delighted that his side bounced back against a club he played for during his playing days.

“I was more pleased to get the reaction I got from the players, where we put a lot of effort in Wednesday and didn’t get anything back,” he said.

“We lost a couple with injuries but didn’t feel sorry for themselves. My pleasure was to see a young side react the way they did and get three points the way they did.”

The Kent full-time club have attracted 7,945 fans from their first seven Nationwide Conference games at Stonebridge Road, averaging 1,135, but Daish wants the backing of more fans.

“We are gaining a little bit of respect, slowly but surely,” he said. “We are up in the position on merit. I think we are earning respect, we deserve that.

“It all takes time but your hoping on word and mouth. It’s a young and hungry side and a side that all want to do well and are playing football for the right reasons - to progress whether individually or as a group.

“There’s a good feel about it. It’s a good young side and I feel people who come tomorrow night will be surprised on what’s on offer really.”

Visit Gravesend & Northfleet’s website: www.gnfc.co.uk

Admission prices:

Adults: £12
Concessions: £6

Main Stand:

Adults: £2 extra
Concessions: £1 extra

Family Tickets:

1 Adult + 2 Children: £20
2 Adults = 2 Children: £27
Junior Fleet Members: £3

Fleet Life (Match day programme): £2.50

There is no segregation for this gameTravelling to the Fleet by Road

Exit the M25 at Junction 2 and take the A2 coastbound. Leave the A2 at the Northfleet/Gravesend West junction. (The slip road is still under construction, but there is only one possible route) When you reach the top of the slip road, turn left (compulsory). At the roundabout go straight across and down Springhead Road, and at the second roundabout turn left and follow the signs for "The Fleet". The Ground is at the end of the road and roadside parking is available all around the ground.

Travelling to the Fleet by Rail

The nearest station is Northfleet which is only about 200 yards from the ground. As you leave the station go (more or less) straight ahead until you reach the main road (EuroKebab on your left). Turn left and walk down the hill and the ground is on your right.

Alternatively, you can go to Gravesend Station and get a bus to the ground. Come out of the station on the Town side and turn right. There are some bus stops just by the station. You can catch a 480 which will drop you outside the ground.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be attending this game on Tuesday night. We hope you do too!

Gravesend & Northfleet v Stafford Rangers
Nationwide Conference
Tuesday 10^th October 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN