All at Herne Bay FC would like to thank all of the NHS staff and key workers in Kent as well as the entire UK for all their ongoing work being done during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

To show this, we as a club approached head groundsman Anthony Deer to cut and form a ‘Thank You’ message on the 1st team pitch as a message of thanks and solidarity with the country's key workers.

The NHS has been the backbone of the UK for over 75 years and continues to be a pioneer in the development of medical resources worldwide. To show our gratitude for all of the country's key workers, we at Herne Bay FC have decided to provide all front line workers with free season tickets for the 2020/2021 season whenever that begins as well as discounts on our club memorabilia.

Head groundsman Anthony Deer who is responsible for the message had this to say: “I was asked by the football club if I could do something with the pitch before we begin work on it for next season to thank your wonderful NHS workers as well as other front line workers. Monday evening I set about cutting the message into the pitch using our ride along with lawnmower, it took just over 1 hour to complete. Not only am I thankful for the job that the key workers, doctors, and nurses are doing right now but also the job they have done in the past with helping our players with serious injuries. We are extremely lucky to have such a great public service in this country, this is just our way of saying thank you.”

As well as this, chairman Stuart Fitchie had this to say: “Josh and Kian our new recruits approached me on my thoughts about this and I thought it was a fantastic idea. If it can show to the NHS workers we as a club are thinking of them for all their bravery and fantastic commitment to our county that would be job done. They are all working to keep us safe whilst putting their lives on the line.
My brother's girlfriend: Catriona, is a nurse in London so I am kept abreast of some of the going’s on, it is no joke.
This is just a small thank and is nowhere near what they deserve, just a different way to show our appreciation from all at Herne Bay FC.
We will be offering all front line workers a free season ticket next season (whenever that may be) as well as some club memorabilia. Full details of the promotion will be released as soon as we have a better idea when the new season will be.”

We are extremely looking forward to welcoming as many key workers as possible to the Kent Vehicles stadium whenever the 2020/2021 season starts.

We would also like to thank CPL Films for providing the club with a drone to help us get the footage of the pitch message.

You can find video footage of us flying over the cut grass over at HBFC•TV: https://youtu.be/_41U6_C9q7A

If you are interested in covering this story and need extra images or footage please contact our media team over at: Media@HerneBayfootballclub.co.uk