Double winning minnows: "We want to move on further" - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Hollands & Blair Football Club are relishing next season as they’ll be competing in the premier division of the British Energy Kent County League, writes Stephen McCartney.

The club, based at the Star Meadow Sports Club, Darland Avenue in Gillingham, have just capped a successful season, clinching the division one east title by seven points and the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield.

Sheerness East, who finished in third place in the premier division, just three points behind second placed (and promoted side) Faversham Town, were beaten 1-0 at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground in early April, courtesy of a shot from Liam Tydeman that found the back of the net via an opposing player.

That shock victory means the Gillingham outfit can look forward to playing in the Kent Senior Trophy next season, and a possible date against a Kent League side - a sign of things to come maybe?

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Laurence Plummer, who doubles up as club manager and secretary, admitted it’s not an overnight success.

“We’ve had a bit of success over the last five years,” he said. “A lot of it is a squad of players that have been around together since the age of fifteen and have matured into a team.

“The pinnacle was winning the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield and getting promotion into the premier division of the Kent County League.”

There are no quick fixes at this club, as Mr Plummer explains.

“The success of the club is based with the team and people around the club that have stayed loyal to us,” he said

The club also play in the Rochester & District League and are planning to enter a side, at under 15 level, in next season’s Kent Youth League.

First team defender Craig Harvey, whose a qualified coach, runs the club’s successful Soccer School.

“Our club has organised a successful Soccer School within the community since 2000, where it offers the opportunity to help youngsters to build a good footballing foundation by learning new football skills and develop their existing skills,” said Mr Plummer.

“The Soccer School can boast that it has given young players the opportunity to join local boys clubs within he area, and has built good links with them.

“Several of the players have been invited up to professional football clubs for trials.

“The school runs three successful one hour coaching sessions, where over 60 children take part, and every school holiday we run a coaching course with over 60 children aged between 5-11 take part during the day.

“Over the years we have built a good reputation of being a family football club within the area.”

Hollands & Blair Football Club were founded in 1970, and Mr Plummer explained the club’s beginnings.

He said: “Hollands & Blair used to be a factory in Lower Gillingham that used to make scales and tools.

“They were taken over by a company called Spiralux. I don’t think their in existence now but they brought out Hollands & Blair in the 70s.

“We asked them to change the football team name but they didn’t want to know so we’ve kept loyal to the name.”

Mr Plummer, though, admitted a lot of work - and expense - has to be done to their ground if they’re to realise their Kent League dream.

The ground at present doesn’t have floodlights but Mr Plummer is hoping to persuade Barry Pierce - the owner of their ground - to assist with ground improvements.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do on the ground but we’ve got ground improvements that need to be done to move us on further,” said Mr Plummer.

The club were beaten by Rusthall, who they’ll be locking horns in the premier division next season, over some floodlights and their current pitch is only roped off and Mr Plummer admitted they’ll need proper pitch perimeter fencing, floodlighting and seating in order to progress further up the football pyramid.

But Mr Plummer revealed he’s in negotiations with the owner of their ground to extend the dressing rooms.

“We are looking at options with the ground owner,” he said. “I have a short-term lease with the ground owner but he’s willing to work with us - he sees the potential and it’s a plus for him.

“The changing rooms need to be improved, but he’s hoping to do something on that nature - I’m trying to work with him.”

Mr Plummer admitted the club is progressing quicker that he anticipated.

“I suppose the Kent League is an aim,” he said. “When we moved to the new ground we wanted to get into the Kent County League premier in three years and we did that in two.

“But we’ve got to be realistic. There’s a long way to go. It’s not just the ground but finance is the key thing.”

The club’s website www.hollandsandblair.co.uk has published details of sponsorship packages where Kent companies can assist this progressive club.

“Our main goal is to seek promotion to the next level of the non-league pyramid,” said Mr Plummer.

“If you wish to be part of the biggest season in the club’s history, then please consider one of our many packages available to businesses wishing to support the club.”

Please mention www.kentishfootball.co.uk  when contacting the club. Also, if you’d like this website to give your club publicity, then please click on “Contact Us” with the relevant telephone numbers or better still, to keep costs down, email addresses.