I want to win the Kent Senior Cup, says Whitstable Town boss Peter Nott

Monday 31st January 2011

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Peter Nott says he wants to win the Kent Senior Cup this season - but he will have to do it without Kevin Fewell, writes Stephen McCartney.

The goalkeeper, who has made 218 appearances for the club, has lost his place to Shaun Smith for the last three games, and has decided to leave the club through work commitments.

Nott says he is disappointed not to be working with the highly-rated Gravesend based goalkeeper.

“Although I understand Kevin’s reasons, I am disappointed that I will not be working with him at Whitstable. I wish Kevin all the best in the future.”

Club chairman Joe Brownett, who was also speaking to www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk, added: ““I had a nice chat with Kevin and fully understand his situation; he changed jobs last summer and has found it increasingly difficult to commit to mid-week games.

“I would like to record the clubs thanks for the service he has given the club over the many years he has been with Whitstable Town Football Club. He has performed at a constantly high level since he joined in December 2005 and wish him well in the future. During his time at the club Kevin has never given us a moment’s trouble, always played with a smile on his face and played his football in the right spirit.”

Vice-chairman, Gary Johnson added: “Kevin has played over two hundred games for Whitstable and he has pulled off some wonderful saves, often he has been the difference between winning and a defeat. I know that Kevin has not been able to commit to Tuesday evenings and it’s been difficult getting to training, I wish him all the best.”

Former chairman, Tony Rouse added: “I was very fortunate while I was chairman that Kevin was in goal for Town and did so well. I have been lucky enough to have been chairman of the club I love; but first and foremost I am still; and always will be a supporter of the players.

“Kevin has been quite outstanding as an ambassador for Whitstable Town during his time at the club. We backed him from his first day and he repaid the club with a consistent level of performance that went a long way from changing us from an average Kent League side to a Ryman League one.

“He has written himself into the record books at Whitstable Town and the fact that he is such a nice guy along with the rest of his family, Mum and Dad, along with his wife and children, means that he will be missed.”

Nott is looking forward to his third game in charge, a Kent Senior Cup First Round tie against a youthful Welling United side on Tuesday night.

“It’s a competition I want to win!” said Nott.

“I think if we get success in that it will help spark us off in the league.

“I’ve got a squad at the moment at around nineteen - I’ve got a couple that aren’t available in that squad for the evening. We’ve got Michael Yianni whose working away for the week and Kevin Fewell’s not available either, which is a shame as I’d like to give him an opportunity in goal. James Peacock is available, who will be back from suspension and there will be a couple of fresh faces here as well.”

Nott has persuaded two of his former players at Maidstone United - defender Peter Hawkins and midfielder Ashley Ulph - to join him and James Peacock at The Belmont.

Nott explained why he is going to field a strong team against the Wings’ academy side.

“I’m taking it very seriously. To me it’s a great opportunity. The more games we play, the more I learn about these boys,” he said.

“I’ve said to the boys everyone is reporting to the ground, those who are not in the starting sixteen will have a training session before the game.”

Nott’s first game in charge was a 2-2 home draw against fourth-placed Leatherhead at the weekend and he added: “I think we looked a bit tired towards the end as well. There’s some boys I want to see that haven’t had a great deal of opportunity, the likes of Dan Wisker and Stuart Vahid. None of these had much match play recently so they’ll start.”

Welling United player-manager, Jamie Day, meanwhile, says he will be sending his academy side to The Belmont on Tuesday night.

The Wings have slipped down to sixth place in the Blue Square Bet South table with 41 points from 24 games, just one point behind Ebbsfleet United.

“Tuesday will be a good chance to have a look at our academy players and see if any are close to stepping up to the first team squad,” Day said.

“We have a lot of league games coming up and still have a chance of reaching the play-off’s and with a few players injured from the weekend so we have to look after the players and prioritise what games are most important to us at this stage of the season.”

Day revealed that Liam Bellamy and Anthony Acheampong will travel to the Kent coast and “will possibly play to get some match time.”

Welling United last met Whitstable Town in the 2009 final, with the Wings coming out on top by six-goals-to-one at Park View Road.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk (Kevin Fewell's quotes courtesy of club website)

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com

Whitstable Town v Welling United

Kent Senior Cup First Round

Tuesday 1st February 2011

Kick Off 7:45pm

At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP