Herne Bay appoint John Embery and Jermaine Darlington: They impressed the committee with their enthusiasm, approach and attitude leading to their appointment

HERNE BAY have appointed John Embery and Jermaine Darlington as joint-managers because of their enthusiasm and commitment.

The pair were appointed on 17 May to replace Sam Denly, who stepped down at the end of the season with the club finishing in seventeenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 51 points from their 46 league outings.


APPOINTED: Herne Bay have appointed Jermaine Darlington and
John Embery as joint-managers
Photo: Sittingbourne FC

The Bay finished a comfortable 20 points clear of the relegation zone, which saw Chatham Town, Three Bridges and Godalming Town lose their Isthmian League status.

Herne Bay have turned to Sittingbourne’s development team joint-managers to take charge of the Winch’s Field club, working within a restricted budget.

“The club’s selection committee shortlisted them for an interview from a list of over 20 applicants and this is their first opportunity to step up to a senior management position, following on from Sam Denly, who was offered a similar opportunity some four years ago,” said club secretary John Bathurst.

“They impressed the committee with their enthusiasm, approach and attitude leading to their appointment. 

“John and Jermaine have said that they are delighted to have been appointed and they are looking forward to the tasks ahead of them.”

Embery started his playing career as a schoolboy at Chelsea and West Ham United before turning a YTS (youth training scheme) at Charlton Athletic, turning professional for one year.  He then moved to Reading for two-years before playing non-league football from 1995 for Dover Athletic, Welling United, Erith & Belvedere and Woking.

Darlington, 43, started his playing career as a schoolboy at Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic, where he turned pro after a one-year YTS.

In 1994, the striker moved to Dover Athletic, before playing for Aylesbury United and he was snapped up by Queens Park Rangers for a £25,000 transfer fee in 1995.

Darlington has also featured for Wimbledon, Watford, Cardiff City, AFC Wimbledon and Maidstone United, before ending his playing career at Whitstable Town.

Mr Bathurst revealed that Embery and Darlington’s first impressions counted among the selection panel.

“John and Jermaine were the first applicants to be interviewed and they impressed the whole selection committee with their enthusiasm and a very professional presentation,” he said.

“We had set out four main criteria.  How to motivate and build a new team on a restricted budget; knowledge of both local youth and senior football; commitment to growth of our youth programme and our existing partnership with the Herne Bay Harriers and their aims and objectives for the coming season.

“They set the benchmark for the other applicants and when the interview process was concluded they got the vote with their enthusiasm and commitment winning over experience.

“Sam Denly was awarded the manager’s position four years ago, having no previous experience of managing at senior football level.

“He committed to a four-year plan and carried out his duties with tremendous professionalism. His squad had over 75% of the players coming from the Herne Bay area.  No other club in the Ryman League had that amount of local players representing their town’s senior football team.

“His final duties at the club was to present the season awards to the youth and senior teams.  He leaves the club on very good terms and we wish him all the luck in his future footballing career.”

The pair, whom both live in Kingshill, have previously coached the youth teams at Bearsted and Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne chairman Maurice Dunk is sorry to see the pair leave Woodstock Park, where they managed the successful Brickies’ under 18s and under 23s.

“When Tony Cornwell suggested two years ago that we gave John Embery and Jermaine Darlington and their lads a chance to step up to our level, it was really good news,” Mr Dunk told www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

“They have done really well. They go with our best wishes and we are sure they will be successful.

“They want to manage now at our first team level and we could not meet their needs for this.  That development team has been together for years and as they all came together it follows that a number will leave together.

“Our youth structure continues to grow and whilst we might not be able to immediately field a development team we have next season two under 18 sides which can continue our progress.

“We have just had our best season for eight years and myself and the committee are looking forward to helping Nick Davis, Tony and all the management team move the club forward.

“In my five years as chairman I have learnt that at this time of year there are movements when you find out about people who are leaving but also you get excited about the potential players or helpers that will come or return to make us stronger.

“One thing for sure anyone that leaves does so with the knowledge that they are leaving a club that has the best, loyal and most focus fans in our league.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk