It will be a great achievement to reach the Kent Senior Trophy Final, says Holmesdale coach Mitchell

HOLMESDALE coach Ross Mitchell says reaching their first ever final as a Kent League club would be a great achievement, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Bromley based club have only played Kent League football for four years and they have never reached the Semi-Finals of the Kent Senior Trophy before, but wins over Deal Town, Sevenoaks Town and Lordswood has set up a trip to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, with the winners meeting either Beckenham Town or Erith Town in next month’s final.

“It’s the furthest we’ve ever got,” said Mitchell, who doubles up as goalkeeper coach and club secretary.

“We go into the game as underdogs, like we go into most games of the season.

“The pressure is on Tunbridge Wells to win.  Everyone expects them to win but we’ll give them a good game.  Our guys will go out and the one thing Tunbridge Wells can expect is 110% from us.

The club, traced back to a Baptist Church in Holmesdale Road, South Norwood, has certainly come a very long way since being founder members of the Thornton Heath and District League Third Division back in 1922, when they finished runners-up.

But ever since the club moved to it’s present home at Oakley Road, Bromley in 2000, the club has made swift progress, going on to win the Kent County League Premier Division title in 2007 and sealing promotion to the Kent League and reaching the Kent Senior Trophy Final would be the club’s greatest ever hour.

“It will be a great achievement and the credit goes to every single one of the players if we do,” added Mitchell.

“We’re not thinking about the Final yet, we’re thinking about Saturday and it’s important we get a win and a good performance and then we’ll think about what happens next.”

Mitchell paid tribute to manager Gary Davies and assistant manager Grant Watts (a striker, who played for the likes of Crystal Palace, Bromley and Croydon).

He said: “I think Grant and Gary are doing a great job and have got the team playing well with the right attitudes.”

Chairman Mark Harris, who is in his first season in charge at the helm, following the sterling work from his predecessor Ray Tolfrey, is looking forward to the club’s biggest ever game, at Culverden Stadium, on Saturday.

“My involvement with Holmesdale FC started in 1985 and was re-ignited when I accepted the role of chairman in June 2010,” Mr Harris told www.holmesdalefc.co.uk.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the last nine months helping the tremendously committed management team to stabilise the club and ensure that the future is built on firm foundations.

“Off the field we have secured several new sponsors and have continued with an ongoing facilities improvement schedule.  There is plenty more to do, particularly to the ground to ensure we can continue to compete in the FA Vase and FA Cup and work is about to commence to increase the ground seating capacity.”

Holmesdale have lost only one of their last seven games and impressed during their 2-1 awaywin at Fisher last Monday, a basement battle at Champion Hill, which now sees Fisher and Sporting Bengal below them in the table.

“On the field we have performed better than results show and the first team management have done a fine job with the limited resources at our disposal,” said Mr Harris.

“We are able to compete with our more illustrious opponents and have taken points from most of the higher placed teams.

“A few more wins over the coming weeks should see us reach a mid-table position that we can build on next season.

Mr Harris added: “I have been amazed at the level of work undertaken by our volunteers.  It is very humbling to see the same people week after week supporting the club both with their hard work and also financial support.

“The fact that we are able to compete with wealthier and better structured clubs is a testament to these people and my thanks goes out to each and every one of them.

“Fingers crossed for the semi-final and hopefully we’ll see everyone connected with the club at the Kent Senior Trophy final.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Tunbridge Wells  v  Holmesdale
Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Semi-Final
Saturday 5^th March 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG