Kentish Football 
Becks issue ultimatum to underperforming stars - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Beckenham Town’s assistant manager Paul Collins has warned his underperforming players to “pull their socks up” or they will have to find new clubs next season, writes Stephen McCartney.
Becks crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season after their 4-1 defeat to a clinical Sevenoaks Town side at Eden Park Avenue tonight.
A well-taken brace from Sevenoaks’ striker James Dalton and a heroic display from goalkeeper Lee Friend, on his first team return after recovering from a torn muscle in his groin, helped the Greatness Park outfit chalk up their highest win of the season.
Whilst Sevenoaks leapfrog over Lordswood into 12th place in the Kent League table, Collins cannot believe that last season’s runners-up are in a lowly tenth position going into their final ten games.
Beckenham are a whopping 30 points behind leaders Whitstable Town, and despite losing the championship on the last day of last season to Maidstone United, the Stones climbed to the top of the Ryman League Division One South table this week following their 1-0 win at Fleet Town on Tuesday night.
Reflecting on their season, Collins said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “Very much underachieving especially with the players we’ve got, the quality we’ve got.
“We don’t seem to be, I don’t know the word I’m looking for, very consistent.
“We (don’t) seem to be gelling as we thought we was going to. We can turn it on, we can play pretty football but just basic mistakes at the moment, which has cost us the season really.”
Jason Huntley’s assistant insisted that the Eden Park Avenue outfit will be challenging for honours next term.
“We didn’t expect to be where we’re are - we expect to be challenging and we wanted to be challenging but it’s just not worked out,” he bemoaned.
Collins issued an ultimatum to his underperforming stars - they’ve got ten games to play for their futures.
“Things are going to change now,” he promised. “We’re looking to consolidate now, just try and go on a little run, try and put some good results together and play some nice football and hopefully start afresh next season.
“You’ve got to be looking for new players. If someone comes along whose better than what we’ve got obviously we’ll look at them and we’ll take them but next season we want to go for it.
“We’ve got the backing and everything about it so we should be up there but it’s just been a funny old season.”
Eighth placed Herne Bay visit Eden Park Avenue on Saturday in a mid-table clash.
“A midtable clash and you’re talking about Beckenham,” he complained. “It’s not right but it’s where we are so we expect to get three points against Herne Bay.
“We should be slaughtering teams like that so hopefully come Saturday we might turn it around and put in a good performance, get some goals because we’re capable of getting goals but at the moment we’re capable of giving them away as well.”
And Collins demands his players to show more pride for the Eden Park Avenue club.
“Basically just show a bit of pride,” he tells them. “Show a bit of pride then it’s fine.
“If you want to be here next season you’ve got to show us that you’re willing to pull your socks up and put in performances.
“If you’re not then obviously you can leave but we want some pride for wearing the shirt.
“Hopefully they’ll pull their socks up, have a good run-in and see what happens next season.”
Meanwhile, Herne Bay manager Jason Lillis has issued a plea to local fans - we need your support at Winch's Field!
“The club are making great strides in getting a young exciting team and currently doing really well,” he told www.hernebayfc.net.
“We have a semi-final to look forward to and things are looking very promising for next season.
“Chairman John Bathurst and the committee are putting in a lot of time and effort to put Herne Bay Football Club on a sound footing but we rely on the support of the public and sponsorship.
“Come along and get involved in your local club and let’s all have great success together - we need you.”
After their trip to Eden Park Avenue on Saturday, Bay have their two-legged Kent League Cup semi-final to look forward to against Thamesmead Town.
The coastal club travel to Bayliss Avenue on Thursday, 15th March before welcoming Keith McMahon’s side to Winch’s Field on Tuesday, 27th March.
Chairman Mr John Bathurst added: “We have put together a young and exciting team and we are getting excellent results and are playing some very attractive football.
“Our club needs more bodies through the turnstiles every week to give vocal support and the much needed financial support.
“Our website recorded over 6,000 hits in January but our average gate is disappointing.”
Herne Bay’s next game at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens is against Erith Town on Saturday, 10th March (3pm).
Visit club websites:
Beckenham Town v Herne Bay
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 24th February 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd