And we start with news that, as expected, Slade Green have resigned from the Kent Premier. The internet (alright, just the Kent League Forum) is abound with rumours that Corinthians will step in to replace them, but surely not in time for the Fish to start their season on August 8th.
Meanwhile, on with the preview. Those wanting to find out more about the history of the Kent League could do worse that visit Dinant Abbink’s site which lists every final table from 1894-95 to 2006-7.
Last season: 6th
Home ground: Safety Net Stadium (no, really – that’s what it’s called. Corporate naming hits the Kent League!)
Directions
A trip to the seaside! Although as the away fixture is in mid-January, that may be less appealing than it sounds in mid-summer. But the clubhouse looks pretty good so Herne Bay could be well worth a visit. A comprehensive set-up is in place in the Bay, and only ground grading problems prevented them from progressing up the pyramid during the 90s. Bay haven’t won the title since 1997, though have finished runners up on occasion and having retained much of the squad that finished 6th last year they will be looking to mount more of a challenge this year. Bay fans have access to the Genuine Supporters Forum – “A forum for moderate views which can be enjoyed by all”. A welcome change from the bickering morons on the Conference South forum!
The Fish predicts: 7th – another season of consolidation for Bay
Last season: 4th
Home ground: Salters Lane
Directions
It’s back on the A2/M2 treadmill for the trip to Faversham, famous for its explosives industry and there were fireworks on the pitch last season as Faversham racked up an impressive 83 goals in 32 league matches. The club have experienced adversity recently having resigned from the Kent League in 2003 and only regaining their status for the 2006/7 season. But the Lillywhites have wasted no time in getting to grips with step 5 football, finishing fourth last year and if they can resolve their inconsistencies may well challenge for honours this year. The squad has been strengthened over the summer, and Faversham are a side to watch this time around.
The Fish predicts: 2nd – Faversham to finish just behind Hythe
Last season: 16th
Home ground: Martyn Grove
Directions
Mmm, orange. It has been suggested that teams that play in red are the most successful, because somehow the very act of wearing bright red shirts seems to make players bigger, faster stronger, and better than if, say, they were wearing smart navy blue. Bollocks, say I (pointing you to Charlton’s record last season), but what are we to make of teams that turn out in orange. Maybe they are hoping to channel the spirit of the Dutch? That spirit apparently consisting of unfulfilled promise, bitter internal disputes, and a penchant for space cake. Lordswood certainly had a disappointing 2008/9 campaign, though there is little evidence that this led to tension in the dressing room. The Wood have picked up a few players with Kent Premier experience, but it seems likely that another season of struggle is ahead.
The Fish predicts: bottom 3
Last season: 7th
Home ground: Erith Stadium
Directions
After a season sharing with Thamesmead, Erith Town come home to Erith this year and will be looking to build on a solid 7th place in last season’s competition. Manager Steve O’Boyle is, like Jordan on a date, going for a blend of youth and experience with former Shrewsbury stalwart Austin Berkley signed to anchor the midfield. Erith will be looking to convert some of last season’s 10 draws into wins this term and Dave Batt, top scorer in the Kent League Division 1 in 2008/9, is the man expected to make the difference. It remains to be seen whether the squad will gel together quick enough to mount an assault on the title, however.
The Fish predicts: 8th – fewer draws, but a lack of consistency will doom Town to mid-table
Last season: last. About as last as you can possibly get. Even more last than Fisher managed in the Conference South. Rock bottom. Adrift.
Home ground: Mile End Stadium
Directions
Sporting Bengal probably can’t wait for the new season to start, as last year they set records in all the wrong categories. 32 games played. Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 32. Goals for 26. Goals against 160. One-hundred and sixty goals conceded! Truly incredible. Things really can only get better for Sporting Bengal, and murmurs on the internet suggest that towards the end of last season they were beginning to turn things around. Not to the extent that they managed to scrape a point, but nevertheless there were signs of hope. Obtaining consistency will be a problem for the side though, as they draw all their players from Sunday football across East London. Note that Bengal play north of the river, at Mile End, which means a trip through the Rotherhithe tunnel and the opportunity for a post-match curry at Brick Lane, just over a mile down the road. A 2007 blog post suggests that Mile End Stadium is a bring your own booze affair, with no clubhouse facilities.
The Fish predicts: Last. But Bengal won’t be as bad as last year (how could they be) and will pick up a few points this season.
The Fish 
Kent Premier League 2009/10 Preview – Part 2
Tags: 2009/10 preview, erith town, faversham town, Fisher, herne bay, lordswood, sporting bengal united
And we start with news that, as expected, Slade Green have resigned from the Kent Premier. The internet (alright, just the Kent League Forum) is abound with rumours that Corinthians will step in to replace them, but surely not in time for the Fish to start their season on August 8th.
Meanwhile, on with the preview. Those wanting to find out more about the history of the Kent League could do worse that visit Dinant Abbink’s site which lists every final table from 1894-95 to 2006-7.
Herne Bay
Last season: 6th
Home ground: Safety Net Stadium (no, really – that’s what it’s called. Corporate naming hits the Kent League!)
Directions
A trip to the seaside! Although as the away fixture is in mid-January, that may be less appealing than it sounds in mid-summer. But the clubhouse looks pretty good so Herne Bay could be well worth a visit. A comprehensive set-up is in place in the Bay, and only ground grading problems prevented them from progressing up the pyramid during the 90s. Bay haven’t won the title since 1997, though have finished runners up on occasion and having retained much of the squad that finished 6th last year they will be looking to mount more of a challenge this year. Bay fans have access to the Genuine Supporters Forum – “A forum for moderate views which can be enjoyed by all”. A welcome change from the bickering morons on the Conference South forum!
The Fish predicts: 7th – another season of consolidation for Bay
Faversham Town
Last season: 4th
Home ground: Salters Lane
Directions
It’s back on the A2/M2 treadmill for the trip to Faversham, famous for its explosives industry and there were fireworks on the pitch last season as Faversham racked up an impressive 83 goals in 32 league matches. The club have experienced adversity recently having resigned from the Kent League in 2003 and only regaining their status for the 2006/7 season. But the Lillywhites have wasted no time in getting to grips with step 5 football, finishing fourth last year and if they can resolve their inconsistencies may well challenge for honours this year. The squad has been strengthened over the summer, and Faversham are a side to watch this time around.
The Fish predicts: 2nd – Faversham to finish just behind Hythe
Lordswood
Last season: 16th
Home ground: Martyn Grove
Directions
Mmm, orange. It has been suggested that teams that play in red are the most successful, because somehow the very act of wearing bright red shirts seems to make players bigger, faster stronger, and better than if, say, they were wearing smart navy blue. Bollocks, say I (pointing you to Charlton’s record last season), but what are we to make of teams that turn out in orange. Maybe they are hoping to channel the spirit of the Dutch? That spirit apparently consisting of unfulfilled promise, bitter internal disputes, and a penchant for space cake. Lordswood certainly had a disappointing 2008/9 campaign, though there is little evidence that this led to tension in the dressing room. The Wood have picked up a few players with Kent Premier experience, but it seems likely that another season of struggle is ahead.
The Fish predicts: bottom 3
Erith Town
Last season: 7th
Home ground: Erith Stadium
Directions
After a season sharing with Thamesmead, Erith Town come home to Erith this year and will be looking to build on a solid 7th place in last season’s competition. Manager Steve O’Boyle is, like Jordan on a date, going for a blend of youth and experience with former Shrewsbury stalwart Austin Berkley signed to anchor the midfield. Erith will be looking to convert some of last season’s 10 draws into wins this term and Dave Batt, top scorer in the Kent League Division 1 in 2008/9, is the man expected to make the difference. It remains to be seen whether the squad will gel together quick enough to mount an assault on the title, however.
The Fish predicts: 8th – fewer draws, but a lack of consistency will doom Town to mid-table
Sporting Bengal United
Last season: last. About as last as you can possibly get. Even more last than Fisher managed in the Conference South. Rock bottom. Adrift.
Home ground: Mile End Stadium
Directions
Sporting Bengal probably can’t wait for the new season to start, as last year they set records in all the wrong categories. 32 games played. Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 32. Goals for 26. Goals against 160. One-hundred and sixty goals conceded! Truly incredible. Things really can only get better for Sporting Bengal, and murmurs on the internet suggest that towards the end of last season they were beginning to turn things around. Not to the extent that they managed to scrape a point, but nevertheless there were signs of hope. Obtaining consistency will be a problem for the side though, as they draw all their players from Sunday football across East London. Note that Bengal play north of the river, at Mile End, which means a trip through the Rotherhithe tunnel and the opportunity for a post-match curry at Brick Lane, just over a mile down the road. A 2007 blog post suggests that Mile End Stadium is a bring your own booze affair, with no clubhouse facilities.
The Fish predicts: Last. But Bengal won’t be as bad as last year (how could they be) and will pick up a few points this season.