Give us lucrative Kent derbies, says Binks - EXCLUSIVE

The Medway side were without a money-spinning game on Boxing Day and welcome Surrey outfit Chipstead to Maidstone Road tomorrow, before travelling to Bromley to tackle Cray Wanderers at Hayes Lane next Wednesday, 2nd January – a fixture that Chatham asked to be moved back a day.

"Four other Kent clubs, Ashford, Dover, Whitstable and Sittingbourne had been paired against one another in local derbies and we would have been paired with Dartford, who were moved over," Binks, whose also the club's commercial manager, said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk. 
 

He added: "It's disappointing the way the fixtures have worked out, missing out on lucrative local Kent derbies."

Binks, however, remains unbeaten during this, his latest spell as first team manager, having picked up one win and two draws in his first three full games in charge – the game at Ashford Town was abandoned at half-time due to a floodlight failure at The Homelands.
 
But Binks admitted he’s been really pleased with the work ethic from his side since taking over from Phil Miles.
 
“I’ve been really pleased with the attitude of the players,” he said.
 
“We were well worthy of a point against Horsham (YMCA), led three times. 
 
“I thought we might have nicked it but they forced a late equaliser.”
 
That was followed by a 3-2 home victory over Molesey in atrocious conditions.
 
“A really good win,” Binks recalled.  “Three-nil up and coasting, they scored two late goals, which flattered them.
 
“I was really pleased with the quality of football we played.”
 
And Binks was also pleased with the goal-less draw against Corinthian Casuals, adding: “It was quite a good game for the football purist.  Two good footballing sides, we dealt with their threat going forward – we should have won it at the death.”
 
Binks was full of praise for striker Pat Bishenden during that game.
 
He said: “I was delighted with Pat, he’s only a young lad learning still at this level – it was his best 90 minutes.”

Dave Botterill (midfielder) and Tyran James (winger) have both been drafted into the squad for Chipstead’s visit tomorrow.

But Binks will be without two left-sided midfielders for the game, as Shane Suter is on holiday and Ross Finn is doubtful with a calf strain.
 
And Craig Govey is currently suffering with the flu.

“Teams around us are dropping points and we’ve got games in hand,” said Binks.

“It’s a big game ahead of a tough January.  We beat them 4-1 away at the beginning of the season, they were just learning their way at this level having got promoted and they lost their first seven games.
 
“They’ve been on a really good run, moved up the table.
 
“It’s going to be a very tight game but we’re doing our best to get three points – it will be a very good three points.”

Binks then takes his side to Hayes Lane to play promotion chasing Cray Wanderers, but reminded their manager, Ian Jenkins, that Chatham went to Dover Athletic earlier in the season and became the only side to beat Andy Hessenthaler’s men in the league.

“We’ve had some fantastic results away,” said Binks.  “We’re the only side to beat Dover.
 
“We’ve picked up more points away than at home, on our day we can beat anybody in this league.”
 
Facing an experienced side, Binks admitted his young side are capable of emulating their shock Dover win during their first game of the new year.
 
“We’ve undoubtedly got the ability in our side but we’ve got a lot of good youngsters lacking experience in this level,” he said.
 
“I would like to see them in two or three years time.  They’re learning fast, they’ve got a burning ambition to play for the club and it’s very positive for the future.
 
“There’s two or three others knocking on the door in the reserves.”


Binks, meanwhile, unveiled two sixteen-year-old’s have been signed on Kent League forms for the club’s reserve side.

Ryan Restell, a midfielder or striker, joins defender Michael Scott, having impressed in the club’s youth ranks.

“Michael is Kent County captain, going on England Schools next summer,” revealed Binks.
 
“Was at Gillingham, they want him back, but he’s enjoying it at Chatham and he’s ambition is to play for (our) first team.”
 
Binks added: “We’ve seen a lot of youngsters come through and get into the higher level.
 
“I want to see players with that potential, especially local players, who want to make the grade into first team level and stay.
 
“I still think there’s a bright future at the club.”


Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net
 
Chatham Town  v  Chipstead
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 29th December 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6EJ