Ben Smith steps down as Herne Bay manager after suffering defeat to fellow strugglers Corinthian-Casuals

BEN SMITH stepped down as the manager of Herne Bay following their 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Corinthian-Casuals yesterday.

The club are second-from-bottom in the Isthmian League Premier Division table, having collected two wins and two draws from their 13 league games and defeat at the bottom side proved to be the final straw for Smith.

The former Canterbury City boss arrived at the club in the summer of 2019 and was in charge of 113 games in total, winning 52, drawing 17 and losing 44 during his time at Winch's Field.

“It is with real sadness that following a conversation after the game, I have to inform you that Ben has decided to step down from his role as first-team manager with immediate effect,” said chairman Stuart Fitchie in a statement posted last night.

“On a personal note, I am gutted. I would not be chairman of Herne Bay FC if it was not for Ben.  He introduced me to (then chairman) John Bathurst right at the beginning and we have soldiered through three and a half testing years together.

“We’ve battled and battled and given our hearts and souls for the betterment of Herne Bay FC.

“We speak on numerous occasions each day and the topics were wide ranging.  A friendship that has developed into much more, which makes this for me a tough one to take, but I understand where Ben is right now and respect his decision.

“First thing first, Herne Bay FC would not be where it is today without Ben Smith, fact!”

Smith guided the club into the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time after winning Isthmian League South East Division play-off matches against Haywards Heath Town and Ashford United at the end of last season.

“The love he has for the club is immeasurable,” added Fitchie.

“There are things Ben did for the club on a daily basis, that most people would not know so could not appreciate, the club always his first thought.

“He gave everything to Herne Bay FC and deserves respect from us all. Bullish at times and a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. We’ve had our fair share of moments, but there is always the mutual respect that got the best out of those situations. He has given (supporters) something to sing about after many challenging years.

“To end. Ben, it has been an absolute pleasure. You have done a tremendous job and you did the unthinkable and should be incredibly proud. Where the club is now from where you picked it up, unfathomable.”

The club has confirmed that Smith's assistant manager, Ben Brown, goalkeeper coach Joe Radford and central midfielder Michael West, will be in interim charge of the team while the club begin the search for a new manager.

Their first game in temporary charge will be at home to Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night.

Herne Bay are inviting applications for the role and the chairman can be emailed at stuart.fitchie@btinternet.com.

Folkestone Invicta, in seventeenth place and with 14 points from 12 games, and Wingate & Finchley (12 points from 14) are both outside the relegation zone.

Bowers & Pitsea (nine points from 13), Brightlingsea Regent (nine from 14), Herne Bay – now on a run of four defeats - and Corinthian-Casuals (eight from 14) are all in thee drop zone.

Visit Herne Bay’s website:   www.hernebayfootballclub.co.uk