There's no other Kent League manager that does what Steve Firkins does, says Billy Walton

Sunday 13th February 2011

GREENWICH BOROUGH assistant manager Billy Walton insists the club are not giving up on their chances of winning the Kent League title at the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The club slipped down a place to fourth in the Kent League table following their disappointing 3-0 away defeat to VCD Athletic, in a game that had one player from each side sent off for picking up their second yellow card.

Greenwich Borough are now seven points behind leaders Erith Town with 30 points from 17 games but Walton insists there is still a lot of football still to be played.

“We won’t give up. I mean it’s in our character, we’re not going to give up,” said Walton, who added, “I don’t think we’ve ever said we’re going to win it!”

Walton paid tribute to Steve Firkins, who manages the side and is the club’s secretary and delves into his pockets frequently to keep the club afloat.

Greenwich Borough are the lowest supported club in the Kent League with average gates of only 24 - their largest league crowd was when 32 watched their game against Fisher - and have struggled financially playing away at Holmesdale’s modest Oakley Road ground in Bromley Common.

He said: “I’d just like to take this point in saying what Steve Firkins does really.

“He does the kit, he makes the sandwiches, he brings the players, he goes and picks them up, he drops them off and he does the coaching as well, without no money, no ground, no nothing and I take my hat off to him.

“I think there’s no other manager in this league that would do what Steve does and have a side as good as Greenwich Borough.

“I don’t think the man gets enough credit for what he does. I think a lot of these managers, certainly a club like VCD Athletic, have got everything going for them and Steve hasn’t but we’re not going to give up.”

Greenwich Borough welcome Erith & Belvedere to Oakley Road on Saturday, before travelling down to Hythe Town (22 February) and facing Herne Bay at home (26 February).

“If we can’t get ourselves up for them, we ain’t going to get ourselves up for no-one are we?” said Walton.

“We’ll be up for the Erith & Belvedere game.

“If we can’t get ourselves up for Hythe and Herne Bay, which history will tell you we normally do well against Hythe and we normally do well against Herne Bay in the short time me and Steve have been doing it, so yes we’ll be up for that.”

Reflecting on their 3-0 defeat at VCD Athletic yesterday, Walton added: “I think the lads knew, as well as I do, you’ve seen us play, that’s the worst that we’ve ever played, since I’ve been at the club in two and a half years!”

Visit Greenwich Borough’s website: www.greenwichboroughfc.com

Directions to Holmesdale Football Club visit: http://www.holmesdalefc.co.uk/clubdirections.shtml

Greenwich Borough v Erith & Belvedere

Safety Net Associates Kent League

Saturday 19th February 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ