Holmesdale get to grips with life in the Kent League - EXCLUSIVE

Holmesdale’s first season in the Kent League is now eight games old and the Bromley based club are enjoying their new surroundings, writes Stephen McCartney.

Although six from bottom in the table, where they’ve won once and drawn twice, it’s still a good feeling for everybody connected with the club to be playing at a higher level.

“It’s been a tough start for us as we have played most of the top teams and to be honest, we’ve not done to bad,” said club secretary Mr Mark Hayes, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“No-one has yet given us a right spanking but we know it’s not going to be easy but with a few players now returning from injury, the squad will get stronger, so hopefully we might surprise a few teams in the future.”

Mr Hayes admitted that the club has learnt many things following their back-to-back titles in the British Energy Kent County League.

He said: “Off the field we hope that we are doing all the correct things hospitality wise and that clubs, officials and visitors are enjoying their visit to our humble ground."

Holmesdale were given dispensation from the Kent League and Football Association to clinch promotion into the Kent League despite not having any floodlights - but must have them in place by the end of this season to remain at this level of football.

Mr Hayes said: “We hope to have all the improvements done in the required timescales. Our funding application is with the Football Foundation for review.

“Our focus this year is to get our ground upto spec to hopefully prove that smaller clubs can make the jump from level seven to five if they get the right help and encouragement to do so.”

Without floodlights, Holmesdale are banned from competing in the FA Cup and FA Vase, so county cup competitions - and Kent League points - are only up for grabs.

“As a club we are enjoying life in the Kent League,” said Mr Hayes. “We know we will not finish in the top ten but we feel we could finish top of the bottom seven.

“We hope to have a good league and county cup campaign and build our squad up to hopefully challenge for honours next season, maybe.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.holmesdalefc.co.uk