Whilst it is great to throw names about at this time of the year of who is going where nothing can really be set in stone until the 1st July start of the registration process and even then there is always the seven day approach, writes award winning match day programme editor Steve Barton.

For example, and please try and keep up, Macauley ‘Macca’ Murray moved to Whitstable Town from Ramsgate last March shortly after Justin Luchford replaced the Rams sacked manager Tim Dixon and his assistant Steve Nolan and Nolan had taken up the Coach’s position at Whitstable under Nicky Southall. At the end of the season Southall, who had taken over at the Belmont following the exit of Luchford in November 2012, walked away claiming a lack of budget and ambition from the Oystermen, the same reason that Scott Porter gave for leaving Hythe Town. Jim and Danny Ward, who had previously been at Ramsgate before Dixon, and then at Sittingbourne, took the helm at Whitstable and lost the services of Murray as Dixon, appointed by new Hythe chairman Trevor Kennett, previously with Herne Bay, again joined by Nolan moving over from Whitstable, was ‘delighted to confirm the signing of highly rated youngster’ Murray. Luchford was then shown the door by Ramsgate and replaced by Dean Hill who had been in charge of the Rams in the interim period between Dixon and Luchford. Hill then announced that Murray had returned to the Southwood Stadium and Hythe’s notice of his signing disappeared from their website. You really couldn’t make it up!

Why oh why do managers set themselves up for a fall? New Hythe Town manager Tim Dixon has told kentishfootball.co.uk’s Stephen McCartney that “his side should be fighting for a place-off place next season if he does his job properly”. Amongst notable departures have been Shaun Welford, who scored 38 times last season, Danny Lye and Louis Sprosen. Hythe finished 8th which was already down on the previous season when they made the play-offs and unless Dixon has something special up his sleeve, despite signing the sought after Laurence Harvey, it is difficult to see where such optimism comes from.

According to Jim Ward, his and brother Danny’s phones haven’t stopped ringing in recent days with players expressing an interest in joining their Whitstable 'revolution'. One can only assume that he is referring to the apparent revolving doors at the Belmont which has already seen Ollie Brown, Matt Martin, Dan Ellett, Craig Maguire, Charlie Smith, Dan Wells, Steve Hafner, Joe Kane, Laurence Harvey, Dan Keyte, Joe Lester, Curtis George and Beau Taylor depart. To be fair to the noisy neighbours they have made two very good signings in Ian Pulman from Ramsgate and Ryan Golding from Sittingbourne so there is plenty of firepower but who would bet against at least one of them moving on during the season. The Ward’s have also raided previous employers Ramsgate and Sittingbourne with Ollie Gray (Ramsgate), Nick Treadwell (Ramsgate and ex-Sittingbourne), Simon Pettit (Sittingbourne), Luke Girt (Sittingbourne), Ashley Ulph (Sittingbourne), Connor Heffernan (Ramsgate), Cameron Heffernan (Ramsgate) and Kane Rowland (Ramsgate) all joining.

The Oyster fans must have great memories with so many players coming and going over recent seasons it must be difficult to know who is who. Bay’s squad, first team and other age groups, management and support staff have been amongst those the Wards have attempted to plunder with only Joe Kennett deciding to make the move down the road, and Kennett, through injury and availability issues played in less than half of Herne Bay’s League fixtures last season.

When we last played (and beat) Whitstable on 4th March 2014 the Oyster’s team was Luke Watkins, Aaron Simpson, Steve Hafner, Ollie Brown, Laurence Harvey, Joe Kane, Scott Heard, Dan Keyte, Dave Raggett (Joe Lester), Charlie Smith (Billy Cobb), Jake Mackenzie (Matt Martin). At least eight of those 14 players have reportedly left the Belmont.

One player that is leaving Winch’s Field is Dean Grant who is making the move to Faversham Town. Including substitute appearances Grant has played in more Ryman League Division One South matches for Herne Bay than anyone else on 76 (48 starts and 28 as a substitute). Joining Grant at Salter’s Lane will be ex-Bay midfielder Sam Bewick who joins from Hythe and Wayne Wilson from Margate. Departing are Brendon Cass, who scored against Bay in the opening minutes of last seasons’ game at Winch’s Field and long-throw expert Aaron Lacey, both who have moved to Tunbridge Wells.

A visit to Cheriton Road next season will see some changes to the ground. Following last December’s storm which saw the roof of the main stand blown off it is due to be demolished and the seating transferred to the opposite side of the pitch into the Brian Merryman Stand. Manager Neil Cugley, who will enter his 17th season in charge of the Seasiders, has lost the services of Johan Ter Horst who has been signed by Hull City but he has brought in 30-goal Ian Draycott from the side that denied them promotion in the play-off finals Leatherhead. Also joining from the promoted Tanners is Darren Smith.

Elsewhere ex-Bay manager Jason Lillis has returned to the helm at Lordswood and is joined by Joe Kane. Simon Halsey has been appointed joint-manager of Fisher. Reprieved Redhill have made a number of new signings which include striker George Landais who made 9 league and cup starts for the Bay during 2012/13 scoring twice.

Back at Winch’s Field every indication is that, apart from Grant and Kennett, all the members of last season’s squad will be re-signing. Additions are planned but anyone that I might name would more than likely bring an immediate phone call from someone along the Thanet Way, like a property developer trying to gazump the opposition. There may well be some welcome surprises!

The players will return to training on 5th July but before then Sam Denly is offering some voluntary training starting next week. Sam is determined that the players should return match fit and not waste the first few weeks on fitness rather than tactics.

On the management side, Coach Neil Brown will have less involvement with the first team due to work and family commitments but will be looking to run a Herne Bay Veterans team and we have registered our interest with the Kent FA regarding joining the Veterans league. Ben Smith will be stepping up to assist Sam Denly and Gavin Theze. Aaron Smith (not related) has taken the post of kitman.

Work on the pitch renovation is moving on and is well ahead of schedule. The grass is green and the bare patches are few and far between. Andy Chapman of C&W Groundcare has been carrying out the work and is happy with the progress that is being made. Funding has been gained to purchase various pieces of new equipment including a travelling sprinkler and a new sit-on mower. Thanks to all those who have contributed in these matters. The new television is up and working in the clubhouse. Work around the ground has been continuous with the dressing rooms being given a professional steam clean and painted. Jim Bubb, Deery and various other helpers have been hard at work sprucing up the stands.

There will be no increases on admission charges for the 2014/15 season.

Ryman League. Adult £8, Concession £4 (Senior Citizens 65+, Young persons 12 - 16 years & Youth Coaches with ID), Children £1 (Under 12's), Herne Bay Harriers and Herne Bay Youth Players FREE entry with ID.

FA Competitions. Adult £8, Concessions £4.

Season Tickets. Adult £150 (£125 for renewals), Concessions £75 (£60 for renewals).

Player sponsorships stay at £30 and those that sponsored a player last season will be given the opportunity to sponsor the same player for the coming season.

The life of a fixtures secretary is not an easy one. Last season’s rain was a nightmare and trying to balance the wants of the manager with those of the supporters for pre-season is near nigh impossible. Add to that, broken promises from clubs who really should know better, preparing the ‘friendly’ schedule has been fraught with difficulties. So far confirmed are:
Tuesday 15th July 2014 7.45pm kick-off. Home. Whitstable Town. Bruce Smith Shield.
Saturday 19th July 2014 3.00pm kick-off. Away. Woodstock Sports. Carl Davies Memorial Shield.
Tuesday 29th July 2014. 7.45pm kick-off. Away. Lordswood.

In the 21st annual Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards Herne Bay were voted 1st in the Ryman League Division One South and 28th overall in Non-League football. Of the other Kent clubs Maidstone United were 24th and Margate 42nd. Bay’s nearest Ryman South rivals were Corinthian-Casuals who finished 2nd in the Ryman South and 37th overall. (Ed: well done Steve, bravo and splendid).

In all honesty the best away programme that I saw last season was Guernsey, but then if you have an average home crowd of nearly 1,000 it should be good, fortunately they did not enter for the awards. Plans are in an advanced stage for further improvements which include a programme season ticket where for a minimal donation a pdf copy of the match programme will be sent to your email inbox.

At the Under 18s presentation evening Elliot Cutts won the Manager’s Player of the Season with the other accolades going to George Mitchell (Golden Boot and Supporters’ Player of the Season), Kieron Owen (Players’ Player of the Season), Billy Mason (Development Player of the Season), Dom Snee and Harry Brown (Joint Goal of the Season). The evening was capped of with Harry Brown, Kane Butler and Ben Kitcherside all signing contracts. Winning the Kent Youth League Under 18 Premier Division is a remarkable achievement for Ben Smith’s boys and this was the fourth season running that virtually the same squad have won the highest division in the Kent Youth League. The majority of the squad are still available for their second season as Under 18s.

Last season Herne Bay Under 21s replaced the reserve side and were runners-up in the inaugural NRG Gyms Kent County League Under 21 League. The forthcoming season sees an expansion in the league and two divisions (east and west). The season will end with play offs to determine the overall league champions. Alan Birchard attended the Kent County League AGM and as well as picking up the league runners-up award Herne Bay also won Secretary of the Year and Team of the Month for April 2014 to go alongside the Manager of the Month for November 2013 that Alan had previously received.

Herne Bay Ladies have been promoted to the South East Counties Women’s Football League Premier Division after finishing runners-up in the First Division (East) and beating Premier Division winners, Bexhill United, in the final of the League Cup. Their league opponents will be Anchorians, Burgess Hill, Crockenhill, Dartford Royals, Eastbourne, Long Lane, Meridian, Parkwood and South Park.
The Ladies will be playing all their home games at Winch's Field next season giving everyone the chance to come and see how far the side has progressed in two years. The Premier Division season will start on Sunday 31st August 2014.

Meanwhile the excellent website, ‘sentherforward’, announced their awards for the 2013/14 season and Herne Bay Ladies featured strongly. The site covers women’s football in Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Breeze Handley won save of the season and Herne Bay won the best team accolade whilst shortlisted were Beth Nugent (Best Individual Performance), Herne Bay Vs. Bexhill United (Best Cup Final), Herne Bay (Best Achievement), Beth Nugent (Player of the Season) and Anthony Deer (Best Manager). Neville Dalton’s Grassroots squad of the season included Breeze Handley, Beth Nugent, Kate Foster, Harriet Chapman and Vicky Holness. Beth made it into the final 11 with Breeze, Kate and Harriet on the bench.

‘Sentherforward’ also carried a feature on Bay striker Vicky Holness. With the article promoted through twitter, Facebook and the Club’s website, ‘sentherforward’ received an amazing 500 hits that day which made it one of the more popular one-off stories and further cemented the interest shown in Herne Bay Ladies.

Plans for the new Football Academy are proceeding well with plenty of interest being shown. The Football Academy is a two year, full-time education and football development programme delivered in partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust and Herne Bay High School. Students will have access to high level football coaching and fitness training. In Year 12/13 students will also have the opportunity to achieve an FA Level 1 and Level 2 in Football Coaching qualification. Students should apply through the Kentchoices4U website. For further information please contact Daniel Gill at Charlton Athletic Community Trust on 08717812095, email; daniel.gill@cact.org.uk, or alternatively contact Nicky Bourne at Herne Bay High at n.bourne@hernebayhigh.org.

Herne Bay FC Race night is on 28th June at the Winch's Field clubhouse. Can you can get a table together? SUPPORT THE CLUB, have a laugh and possibly win some money. It will be great fun. Tickets are £5 contact Sam Surbey, Danny Surbey or one of the committee.

Make sure you visit the club’s website. www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay for up-to-date details and all the latest news. Or visit Facebook, Herne Bay FC – Official Facebook page or Herne Bay FC Loyal Fan Club.