So, into the final third of the season, and how well do you think the club has done and what are your predictions for the end of the season?

First Team

On Christmas Day, Herne Bay stood in 8th place in Ryman One South having played 27 and accumulated 37 points. At the time of writing this blog Bay are still 8th having accumulated another 11 points from 7 games, unbeaten in the last 5. Before the season started, expectations would have been for a better position than last season’s position and possibly hovering around mid table. But, it’s been better than that hasn’t it? There’s even murmurings in the media of possibly sneaking into that final play-off berth! Now, before anyone starts getting all negative about whether play-offs and promotion might be a step too far resource wise, what would be so wrong with being in the play offs? The Treasurer might like it for a start! They are, after all, played under cup finance regulations. It might make up for not having a cup run this season.

Could it be possible? Well, Football Web Pages don’t predict it. They think we will only gain another 10 points from our remaining 12 matches and finish 13th. Here are their predictions for the remainder of the season; make your own mind up:

The predictions are all based on data and percentages, personally, I think there are some extra points to be picked up along the way. Watch out for the Supporters’ Association ‘Prediction Game’ to be launched at the home fixture with Folkestone Invicta on 21st February.

U21s

The success of the U21s this season was probably predictable but it all still has to be achieved. Play offs between the top two in both the East & West Divisions of the NRG Gyms Under 21 Development League will give added spice to the end of the season. The U21s have also reached the semi final of the KCFA Intermediate Cup, perhaps a Cup Final as well to go to for us all? Added to this, three of the team, Steven Murray, Connor Partridge & Newman Poku have been selected for the League’s representative match against the Essex Olympian League to be played at Winch’s Field on Sat 25th April. Can’t be bad!

U18s

Once again the U18s have been heavily involved in cup competitions and progress in the League has been disappointing as a result. But, once again, there could be cup finals to look forward to. At this point, they are still in three cup competitions, semi-final stage for one of them.

Academy

This is the first season that Herne Bay FC have run an Academy side so this is First Year Scholars. So far, with the weather as it is, it has not been possible to schedule an Academy game for Winch’s Field but the club would like to do so toward the end of the season.

Herne Bay Harriers

Herne Bay Harriers season so far has been a good one for the clubs 17 teams. The youngest age groups u6s and u7s have enjoyed several friendly matches and the three u9s teams have put in some impressive displays. Pete Tait's u10s team are improving greatly and the u12s have had 3 straight wins in recent weeks. The u13s in Div2 are in contention for promotion to the top division playing some fabulous football under the stewardship of Ian O'Sullivan and Shaun Burgess and benefitting from extra coaching by Club Vice Chairman Tony Tickner. Both u14s played each other recently in a Div 1 fixture with Dan Surbey's team running out 3-1 winners against a good Billy Harding's Colts. In their final season with the club the u18s sit 2nd in Div 1 but have some tough fixtures in their last 8 games. Having already had a very good cup run they faced Deal Town Rangers in the semi final of the Alfred Albert Moore Memorial Cup in January where on a day where they were very impressive they ran out emphatic 11-1 winners. The final takes place at Salters Lane on Monday 16th March 7.30pm KO where they play Faversham Strike Force who currently sit 3rd in Div 1. This should be an exciting game. Congratulations to all the players and to Russell Hammond and Paul Ireton who have managed the team for the last 10 years. On the social scene Harriers will be running their annual quiz night on Sat 28th Feb and expect another good evening of wisdom and wine. All are welcome.

Ladies

More success for the Ladies this season. The FA Women’s Cup run was fantastic, wasn’t it? Gillingham only squeaked past Herne Bay in comparison to previous games against them and it’s taken until February for a team to grab all the points from the Ladies in a league match! The run in to the end of the season promises to be full of excitement. With games in hand in the SECWFL (Premier) the course for a third successive promotion is being plotted. That would put the Ladies team into Step 3, just one division below the Women’s Premier League structure. Let’s not also forget that coming up is a League Cup semi final as the Ladies seek to retain the Cup they won last season.

Now then, can anyone doubt that this looks like being a tremendous year for Herne Bay Football Club, and by that, I mean the WHOLE football club.

All for one, and one for all.
Peter

11th February 2015.