I have the utmost respect for our Kent League rivals, says Croydon boss - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, Harmsworth spoke about his new signings.

He said: “Liam was in my youth team when I was at Chipstead.  He played virtually the whole year in the first team as well.

”I was looking for another left-sided player and he fits the bill nicely as he can play at the back or in midfield.

“He is also a very good athlete on the pitch and I am sure he will go on and play at a higher level.”

Davies has scored a fair few goals in the Combined Counties League for Merstham and Young is now back in England and is looking to play football again.

”He is a very consistent centre half,” Harmsworth said of Young.  “We are confident of signing a couple of other players.  One, a wide right player and another centre half.”

Former Bromley and Erith & Belvedere goalkeeper Danny Harwood, 33, meanwhile, has pledged his future to the club.

“Danny is our number one goalkeeper,” unveiled a delighted manager.  “He was player of the year last season and is an experienced stopper.

“We are very pleased that he has pledged his future to the club as this is obviously a very important position.

“We have a couple of younger keepers who will keep Danny on his toes and will possibly test these lads out in the pre-season games.”

But not having the funds to run a reserve side will cause the manager a few headaches – but the club do run nine youth sides ranging from under 8 to under 16s that play in the Tandridge League and their under 18 side play in the highly competitive Southern Youth League.

But he will be able to blood kids into first team football if needs must.

“The main problem for us is not having a reserve side as we can not afford to run one this season,” bemoaned Harmsworth.

“This is a problem for me because players who are on the fringe of first team football will not be playing.

“Therefore, trying to keep a squad of 18-20 players happy is not always that easy.

“It is even worse for goalkeepers as you need to be playing regularly to keep your reactions up, but keeping two goalies happy is nearly impossible so it becomes very important our youth team keeper is tried and ready should anything happen to Danny Harwood.

“But we have kept all players from last season but just needed to add a little experience and competition to the squad.

“We are in the main a very young side with a good nucleus and I felt if we could add those extra bits needed then we will improve as a side.

“We have a very small budget and I have to be very careful about where that money goes.”

Croydon started pre-season training on 29^th June and 76 players turned up.

The manager revealed: “We had to draft in a couple of extra coaches on the night because of the turnout.

“Obviously pre-season is a very important part of the year, although I do believe in using a ball in the sessions.  We will also do a fair share of hard work to improve our fitness base.

“Some players do very little in the off-season but others still keep themselves ticking over so it is vital we prepare the boys for that first league game.”

Looking ahead to their new adventure, Harmsworth said: “We are all looking forward to the new season, especially playing in a new league.

“The Kent League is a very strong league and I have the utmost respect for the teams we will be playing against.

“It will be a very tough first season for us but we are young and looking forward to the challenge.

“We will try and get the ball down and play whenever possible.  The players enjoy the games more when trying to play rather than just smashing it forward.”

Any businesses that can assist the club in advertising, kit sponsorship etc should contact the chairman Dickson Gill on 07940 009 917.

Harmsworth said:  “The chairman has taken the club from virtual extinction to an even keel in the past year or so and we are slowly progressing as a club again.

“Once we were a thriving Ryman Premier League club (2000-2002) and I feel we can get back to those days if we get it right off the pitch as well as on.  We are an ambitious club.”

(Please check for venue details)

Tuesday 11^th July (a) Bromley
Saturday 15^th July (a) Dulwich Hamlet
Saturday 22^nd July (a) Crawley Down
Tuesday 25^th July (a) Epsom & Ewell
Saturday 29^th July (a) Redhill
Tuesday 1^st August (a) Coney Hall
Thursday 3^rd August (a) Farleigh Rovers
Saturday 5^th August (H) Wokingham
Tuesday 8^th August (a) Oakwood

Visit Croydon’s website: www.thelasttramhome.cjb.net

* To assist with the running costs for www.kentishfootball.co.uk please click on "Contact us".  Your editor, Stephen McCartney, 29, will be pleased to hear from you.