We've blown our title chances, admits Foley - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Skipper Paul Foley admitted last night’s goalless draw at Sevenoaks Town was a “set-back” for VCD Athletic’s title hopes, writes Stephen McCartney.

With leaders Whitstable Town stuffing whipping boys Sporting Bengal 6-1 at The Belmont, Vickers squandered the chance to move into second place in the Kent League table last night.
 
Instead they remain in fourth place in the table and are now eleven points behind Marc Seager’s men.

And the shaven-headed, 35-year-old central defender was still coming to terms with Martin Ford’s shock resignation at the weekend.

“It’s obviously a big thing for the club, he’s been there years and years, Fordy,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after last night’s stalemate.
 
“He may declare what he’s reasons were, I think they were personal, but we just have to get on with it I suppose and keep going.”
 
Vickers had chances to defeat an in-form Sevenoaks side at Greatness Park last night.
 
“Tonight is a bit of a set-back but we just have to keep plugging away until the season’s over,” said Foley.
 
Foley has yet spoken to Ford, who resigned after fourteen years at the helm of the Crayford club.
 
He said: “He wished Frosty (caretaker manager Dean Frost) well tonight, which is a good thing for him.
 
“He’s resigned but he’s still got the interests of the club at heart so fair play to him for doing that.”
 
Reflecting on the club’s first game without Ford barking out instructions from the dug-out, Foley said: “We had loads of chances.  They’re not a bad side, Sevenoaks.
 
“I was quite impressed with them; very lively, created a few chances themselves, so it’s probably as entertaining a nil-nil you’re gonna get, I guess.
 
“We had plenty of chances to win but it just wouldn’t go in.”
 
Vickers face a busy Easter period, travelling to Deal Town on Saturday before their showdown with Whitstable Town at Oakwood on Easter Monday.
 
“This is a major set-back, we really needed to win every game I guess until the season finished but we’ll keep going,” said Foley.
 
“If we win Saturday and then win Monday, who knows?  Whitstable may have a big wobble.”
 
Foley recalls the days when he was in the Maidstone United side that won – and lost – the Kent League title at the final hurdle.
 
“I have seen it before,” he said.  “I played in one where we caught VCD up at Maidstone and the following year Cray nicked it from us, so it does happen – we got one point out of the last four games.”
 
Foley, however, backs Dean Frost in his caretaker-manager role for his last seven games before his retirement.
 
“Dean’s a very good coach, he knows his stuff so there’s no problem there,” he said.
 
“It’s my last year I think for me.  My old knees are struggling.
 
“I’ve given it a go.  After years ago doing my cruciate so I’m just pleased (that) every week is a bonus for me.
 
“I’ve had some great times with Maidstone and Ramsgate and (the) closing stages with VCD.”
 
Visit VCD Athletic’s website:  www.vcd-athletic.co.uk