It’s going to take a huge effort to keep us in this league but I generally think we’ve got the squad capable of it, says Farnborough Old Boys Guild boss Luke Johnson

LUKE JOHNSON says Farnborough Old Boys Guild will need to win six of their remaining 11 games to stay in the Andreas Carter Joma Kent County League Premier Division.

The Farrows Field outfit re-appointed Johnson on Monday with the club rooted to the foot of the table with two wins and six draws from their 19 league games and they are five points adrift of the team immediately above them, Lydd Town Reserves.



The two sides meet at Farrows Field on Saturday and Johnson knows his players must hit the ground running.

“I left the club at the end of the 2015-16 season when we won the Division One West title, said Johnson, pictured, who will be assisted by Kobi Johnson, who is no relation. 

“Matt Ellis and I managed the side and left due to family commitments and to extend our playing days by a couple of years.  I’ve remained at the club as a player over the last two seasons, filling in for whichever side needs me every Saturday and Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to coming back as manager more than I thought I would.  Our league position isn’t great, in fact it couldn’t be worse!”

The club went down to a 1-0 defeat away to league leaders Kennington in their last game on 24 February.

“Knowing a lot of the boys and seeing them play last time out away to top-of-the-table Kennington and being unfortunate to leave empty handed, I’m confident we’ll do well in the remaining games,” said Johnson, who has taken over from Byron Beard, who is now at Lewisham Borough.

“I was at the game last week and felt we did well. The first half was very even and both sides had chances to open the scoring before the break.

“Second half you could tell why Kennington are top of the league, they scored early and in all honesty they were the better team for the second 45.”

Johnson believes his side can pull off The Great Escape to maintain their Level Seven status.

He said: “It’s going to take a huge effort to keep us in this league but I generally think we’ve got the squad capable of it. 

“I think we’ll need six wins from our last 11 games at least to stay up, which after two wins in 19 seems a tall order but not beyond us.

“I’m lucky enough to have a lot of friends my age who are entering management jobs at club’s in higher leagues and have already got a couple of links with club’s looking to get fringe players some playing time with us.

“Farnborough is a great little club with some really dedicated people who work tirelessly to keep it running like every other club to be fair.

“I know the club inside out and have played for every Saturday and Sunday team they have over the years.

“My job is to give players a platform to move onto club’s in higher leagues and develop individuals. 

“The season after Matt and I won the league, six players left to go to clubs who could offer them money to play and that was a huge compliment to us.

“Whether we stay up or go down, we will be competing at the right end of the league next season.”

A club statement added: “We wish to thank Alex Barnes for his work as caretaker manager since Byron Beard’s departure last month.”

Visit Farnborough Old Boys Guild’s website:  www.fobgfc.org

Farnborough Old Boys Guild  v  Lydd Town Reserves
Andreas Carter Joma Kent County League Premier Division
Saturday 10 March 2018
Kick Off 2:45pm
at Farrow Fields, High Street, Farnborough, Kent BR6 7BA