Kentish Football 
Promotion is our objective, insists Herne Bay chairman - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Mr Bathurst admitted their last campaign, finishing in a lowly seventh place, was “very disappointing”.
“Despite only double winners Maidstone United achieving the double over us, we only managed seventh place in the league,” he said. “We were only consistent in our inconsistency!”
Herne Bay reached the semi-finals of the Kent League Cup, but lost 2-1 on aggregate to VCD Athletic.
Mr Bathurst felt his side should have done better in their home second leg tie, which they lost 1-0 thanks to a wonder strike from Kevin Wincombe.
“The League Cup was our only realistic chance of winning silverware. Again we failed to produce on the day,” he said.
”In the second leg of the semi-final against VCD Athletic we were a shadow of the side that achieved the 1-1 draw in the first leg.
”We were so negative in that game that we didn’t really deserve to go through to the final.”
Mr Bathurst, meanwhile, demands a change in tactics next season, utilising the width of the pitch at Winch’s Field.
“We seem to persist in playing a long ball game, tactics which any reasonable defence has no trouble dealing with,” he bemoaned.
“At Winch’s Field we have the widest pitch in the Kent League. Unfortunately we don’t play the flanks like we should.
”But in all the games where we played passing football we pleased our supporters and produced some fantastic victories.
”Beckenham, who themselves were the best football side in the league, were blown away by our football played at Eden Park Avenue.
”If the same players produced that sort of performance week in-week out, then we would have been challenging both Beckenham and Maidstone for the title instead of languishing in midtable throughout the season.”
But the club failed to find a replacement for Danny Kedwell, who netted a whopping 31 goals for the club during the 2004-05 campaign.
That form earned the striker a move to Nationwide Conference South club Welling United, and was a top performer for Adrian Pennock’s side last term, netting 23 goals.
But back at Winch’s Field, Simon Brown and Stuart King netted just 13 goals each.
“If Herne Bay are to challenge for promotion next season, they must find a top striker and a good, experienced holding midfield player,” admitted Mr Bathurst.
”The loss of Danny Kedwell, with no suitable replacement, was a great setback. However, the defensive partnership of Gary Cook and Steven Lloyd was one of the best pairings in the Kent League.
”If we manage to find the suitable players to add to this defensive strength we will definitely be challenging for promotion next season,” the chairman insisted.
With the Ryman League first division (south) having an influx of Kent teams next season, Mr Bathurst admits his club are desperate to join them.
”All the work put on over the last two seasons, ensured the ground achieved Ground Grading E status,” he said.
“With the restructuring of the Ryman and Southern Leagues, the Kent clubs will be involved in a large number of local fixtures, which can only benefit the Kent clubs.
“It is imperative that Herne Bay join these Ryman clubs by achieving promotion to also benefit from these local derbies. This is the objective and target given to Jason (Lillis) for next season.”
The North Kent club are searching for three more pre-season friendlies, to be played midweek, to go with the five already confirmed.
Lewes (8th July), Fleet Town (15th July), Welling United (22nd July), St Margaretsbury (29th July) and Folkestone Invicta (5th August) will be hoping the sun is shining when they visit the coast and the club are looking to hear from sides willing to play them midweek.
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