Trams hoping for a smooth ride - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Tuesday 30th May 2006

Russell Harmsworth goes into unknown territory when the new football season kick’s off in August, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 42-year-old is the manager of Croydon, the Surrey side that last season finished in tenth place (out of sixteen sides) in the second division of the Ryman League.

But the club that plays in South Norwood at the Croydon Sports Arena, have been moved into the Kent League by the Football Association, and with Faversham Town being promoted from the British Energy Kent County League. finishing runners up to Lewisham Borough, the Kent League will have 17 clubs next season.

Harmsworth, who lives in Selsdon, was brought up around South Norwood and started his career with his local club and went on to play 200 games for the Trams in the Ryman Premier League.

He also played around 130 games for Epsom & Ewell, gaining promotion from the first division of the Ryman League into the premier, before moving to Whyteleafe, playing 224 games for the Church Road outfit, also gaining promotion, but from the second division into the first.

Seven years were spent in the Combined Counties League for Chipstead, making 350 appearances, and playing for Crystal Palace Legends Jim Cannon and Dave Swindlehurst.

Harmsworth managed the Chips for two years, finishing third in his first year.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk , Harmsworth said: “I then got a call from Dickson Gill, the Croydon chairman, about the job there.

“I knew Dickson from my youth team days at the club and liked what he was trying to achieve so I decided to take up the challenge.”

Although he has spent his entire career across the border in Surrey, Harmsworth is relishing managing in the Kent League.

“I know the standard of the Kent League will be very good,” he said. “I have played against sides in the Kent League before and they’re always tough games.

”You only have to look at the FA Vase and see that the Kent League teams do better than all the other Step 5 leagues in the south.”

So what can we expect from the Trams next season? “My aim and the clubs aim is to play in the Ryman League as soon as possible,” Harmsworth said. “We have the facilities and were, some time ago, a good Ryman Premier League side.

“All the players are staying next season,” he revealed. “We are a very young side and are looking to develop these players over the next couple of seasons.

“We have also recruited a few new players in the summer to give us more options.”

Like every manager at this time of the year, Harmsworth is keeping the identities of his new signings close to his chest.

“We are negotiating with players at this moment but it would be unwise of me to name these players as talks are at a delicate stage, hence to say we are looking at around five or six players,” he revealed.

But Harmsworth hopes it will be a smooth ride in the Kent League and acknowledges the achievement of Jim Ward’s Ramsgate side, who have won back-to-back championships and will be plying their trade in the Ryman Premier League next season.

“I have a few mates that have played in the Kent League and I know it is very strong,” he said.

“You only have to look at Ramsgate, who won the Kent League and have now won the Ryman first division.

“That’s a fantastic achievement and shows that teams in this league and compete with those in higher leagues.”

Looking ahead to next season, he added: “Just like to add we are looking forward to this new challenge, going to grounds I have never been to and competing in a very good Kent League.”

Before you ask, www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Trams next season because they're a Kent League club.