Well, the computers have whizzed and whirred and spewed out the fixtures that will keep us captivated until the end of next April. Opinions are mixed, some people are happy and some the opposite, but here is a look at just a selection.

Opening Match
Away at Whyteleafe.
Herne Bay’s first game in the Isthmian League was on Saturday 18/08/2012 at home to Tooting & Mitcham United. This was followed the next campaign when we welcomed Guernsey for their first match at Step Four. Since then the fixtures alternated between home and away until this and last year with away trips. There have been four at home and four away. From the seven played so far there has been one win, three draws and three defeats.

August Bank Holiday
Away at Whitstable Town.
The computer appears to have designated August Bank Holiday as a Bay Awayday as for the eighth consecutive campaign we will be on the road. There will have been three trips to Faversham, three to Whitstable, and one each to Eastbourne Town and Hythe Town. We have seen two wins, three draws and two defeats so far.

Opening FA Cup Match
Home to AFC Croydon Athletic
Folkestone Invicta visited in August 2012. Since then there have been home games against Peacehaven & Telscombe, Ashford Town, Walton Casuals and trips to Eastbourne United, Walton & Hersham and Arundel and this season the Field of Dreams awaits AFC Croydon Athletic. Five at home and three away. We have progressed five times and been knocked out at the first attempt twice.

Opening League Cup Match
There is a new format this season with group matches being played starting with a visit to Whitstable Town.
Tooting & Mitcham United, Hastings and Hythe have provided the home First Round opposition with trips to Maidstone, Whitstable and Tonbridge (twice). Three home and five away. Two wins and five defeats so far.

Opening Kent Senior Cup Match
Home to Faversham Town.
Dover Athletic were beaten at home in 2012 and returned to win four seasons later whilst Ramsgate and Ashford United have also visited, with Margate, Chatham Town and Phoenix Sports being travelled to. Five at home and three away. There have been five wins and two defeats.

Opening FA Trophy Match
Away to Berkhamsted.
There was a poor performance in the home defeat to Chatham Town in 2012 with Merstham visiting the following season and there have been away trips to Heybridge Swifts, Witham Town, Barton Rovers, Cheshunt and Aylesbury. Two at home and six away. Four wins and three defeats.

Boxing Day
Away to Faversham Town.
So far there have been trips to Whitstable Town (twice) and Ramsgate and home matches against Whitstable (twice – one was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch) and Faversham. Last season there was no Boxing Day game. Three home and four away. Two wins, one draw and two defeats.

New Year’s Day
Home to Whitstable Town.
There have been games at home to Faversham (twice) and one to Ramsgate (postponed because of a waterlogged pitch) and proposed visits to Faversham and Hythe which were both lost to the weather. There were no New Year’s Day games in 2016 and 2018. Four home, two away. Two defeats and no wins or draws.

Good Friday
There has been just one Good Friday match, a 1-3 home defeat to Ramsgate in 2013, and no game fixtured for this season.

Easter Monday
Home to Faversham Town.
All matches have been played at Winch’s Field: Whitstable (twice), Ramsgate (twice), Folkestone, Hythe and Sittingbourne with Faversham to come this season. One win, three draws and three defeats so far.

Last Day of the Season
Away to Sevenoaks Town.
Once again, for the seventh time out of eight, the Herne Bay supporters at Winch’s Field will be denied the opportunity to wish the players a restful summer. Only in 2018 was the last game of the season played at home when Greenwich Borough were beaten 1-0. The other years we have travelled to Whyteleafe (twice), Folkestone, Three Bridges, Hastings, Phoenix and this season Sevenoaks. One at home and seven away! Three wins and four defeats.