Huntley and Mehmet are staying here, insists Beckenham secretary

BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer says he is not happy with the current situation at Eden Park Avenue, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Becks’ stalwart is unhappy that the club has underachieved in the Bulmers Cider Kent League this season - having played the most games as every one else.

Beckenham have won only two games and drawn two from their first ten games and are sitting in eleventh place in the table - fourteen points adrift of the top.

Mr Palmer says this is not good enough as they prepare for a home game against surprise package Holmesdale on Saturday.

The unbeaten Dalers make the short trip to Eden Park Avenue sitting proudly at the top of the table with seven wins and a draw from their eight league outings - three points clear of Hythe Town, who have a game in hand.

Mr Palmer admits Beckenham Town are clearly not utilising the talent within their ranks and things must improve.

There has been plenty of speculation in recent days that Beckenham’s management pair of Jason Huntley and Dave Mehmet are going to take over the vacant hot-seat at Blue Square South side Fisher Athletic.

Fisher Athletic boss Wayne Burnett left last week to take over the hot-seat at Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic, taking players Gavin Dayes, Luke Hickie and Sanchez Ming with him.

And as Beckenham Town were without a game last weekend, several of their players were part of the Fisher squad for their FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Maidstone United - which the Stones won 3-2.

A statement, which was issued by Fisher Athletic yesterday, explained that Huntley and Mehmet were drafted in to assist caretaker manager Gary Lisney for their Cup game at Bourne Park.

“With feeder team Beckenham Town not in action (last) weekend, coaches Jason Huntley and Dave Mehmet assisted Fisher number two Gary Lisney with first team affairs at Maidstone United,” said the statement.

“Beckenham coach Dave Mehmet has since been closely linked with the job, but the board refuse to confirm if talks are ongoing.”

But Mr Palmer, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this evening, insists Huntley and Mehmet will be in charge of Beckenham Town for Saturday’s derby against Holmesdale.

“Beckenham is exactly the same, they won’t be taking over at Fisher,” insisted Mr Palmer.

“They’re still managing Beckenham. The manager of Fisher is Gary Lisney, I think he’s just caretaker, I think.

“Beckenham is still exactly the same. They haven’t left Beckenham. They won’t be taking over as Fisher. They were helping out (Fisher against Maidstone United) as they thought all the Fisher players had left, but they didn’t. All the Fisher players (apart from the players mentioned above) are still there.”

Mr Palmer is certain that Huntley and Mehmet will still be in charge at Eden Park Avenue, despite their one-game stint with Fisher Athletic, along with a handful of Beckenham players, including Danny Wise, Danny Ward and Wade Falana.

“They were only playing for Fisher because they thought every Fisher player had left, but they haven’t. They all turned up for the game,” explained Mr Palmer.

“If you looked on Tuesday for the Satanta game against Eastbourne, no Beckenham players were playing.”

Looking ahead to the visit of surprise leaders Holmesdale, Mr Palmer is not happy with results and admitted he doesn’t see things changing for the better.

The problem with having players on dual-registration is they can switch teams at a moment’s notice - and Mr Palmer admits this can damage continuity.

“We can’t keep playing as bad as we’ve been playing Steve,” bemoaned the Beckenham stalwart.

“Am I happy? When you run two clubs there’s not a lot you can do. But I’m alright about it, yes.

“I’ve got no problem as our players aren’t good enough for the Conference (South).”

Reflecting on Beckenham’s sorry season, Mr Palmer said: “Not too good, not too good, not as good as we expected with the quality of players we had. It’s not good enough.”

Mr Palmer has written off the club’s chance of climbing the table to challenge for the major honours.

He added: “I’m not that confident. Well, it should've happened by now, ten games. It should have happened but it hasn’t. I don’t see it getting any better.”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

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

Beckenham Town v Holmesdale
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 4^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent