Despite there being no football to report on it is our intention to carry on with these weekly updates to include any club news, facts from this campaign, items from the Club’s archives and the pandemic as it affects us. This will only happen if there are enough people wanting it, so please don’t be shy, let us know your thoughts.

The current state of play of football at the club is:

The FA - professional football suspended until 30th April

National League System - fixtures suspended First Team - League suspended until 3rd April Women's - League is suspended for foreseeable future U13, U14 & U16 Kent Youth League - League suspended up to and including 5th April

Training - The following has been decided by the Club based on advice from The FA First Team - Training is suspended until further notice Women's - Training is suspended for foreseeable future U13, U14, U16 - Training is suspended until further notice

Isthmian League Division One South East Leading Goalscorers 2019/20

Zak Ansah 24 Herne Bay 14 goals, 10 penalties

David Smith 20 Ashford United 19 goals, 1 penalty

Ben Pope 18 Hastings United 11 goals, 7 penalties

Ronnie Sobowale 17 Whyteleafe 16 goals, 1 penalty

Aaron Condon 14 Ashford United 12 goals, 2 penalties

Warren Mfula 14 Cray Valley PM (6) /Burgess Hill Town (8)

12 goals, 2 penalties

Zak Ansah signed for Herne Bay in July 2019 and he introduced himself to the Bay faithful with a hat-trick in the first 33 minutes of an enthralling pre-season encounter at SCEFL First Division Snodland Town.

He went on to score four against Erith & Belvedere and one against both Rochester United and Felixstowe & Walton United to take his pre-season tally to nine. With 24 league goals this is the best single season haul, overtaking the 23 scored by Jake Embury in 2017/18. For league and cup Zak’s 28 goals has eclipsed Jake Embury’s 25 in 2017/18. Danny Walder netted ten league and cup penalties in 2015/16 and that record has also been beaten by Zak with 11 this time out. Bearing in mind that there have been 38 league and cup matches this campaign whilst in 2017/18 there were 54 games and in 2015/16 58, this is an incredible achievement.

With the way that the wingers and midfielders drive into the penalty area terrifying the opposition defence it is no surprise that there have been so many penalties, and all for fouls! The offences have been committed against Tushaun-Tyreese Walters four times, Keiron Campbell three times and once each against Chris Saunders, Ryan King-Elliott, Bradley Stevenson and Anthony Edgar.

Zak’s goals have been:

17/08/2018 League Whyteleafe away 1 (1p)

20/08/2019 League Phoenix Sports home 2 (1p)

24/08/2018 FA Cup AFC Croydon Athletic home 2

03/09/2019 FA Cup AFC Croydon Athletic away 1

17/09/2019 League Ramsgate away 2

19/10/2019 League Guernsey home 2 (2p)

26/10/2019 League Three Bridges away 2

02/11/2019 League East Grinstead Town home 1 (1p)

12/11/2019 League Cup Whitstable Town away 1 (1p)

16/11/2019 League Ashford United home 1

30/11/2019 League Sevenoaks Town home 1

07/12/2019 League VCD Athletic away 2

01/01/2020 League Whitstable Town home 1 (1p)

04/01/2020 League Cray Valley PM away 1 (1p)

18/01/2020 League Guernsey away 1 (1p)

04/02/2020 League Ramsgate home 2

08/02/2020 League Haywards Heath Town away 1

11/02/2020 League Faversham Town away 1

22/02/2020 League Three Bridges home 1

07/03/2020 League Sittingbourne home 2 (2p)

Zak Ansah 28 (11p) Ramsgate 4, AFC Croydon Athletic 3, Guernsey 3 (3p), Three Bridges 3, Phoenix Sports 2 (1p), Sittingbourne 2 (2p), VCD Athletic 2, Whitstable Town 2 (2p), Ashford United 1, Cray Valley PM 1 (1p), East Grinstead Town 1 (1p), Faversham Town 1, Haywards Heath Town 1, Sevenoaks Town 1, Whyteleafe 1 (1p),

Over 60% of Zak’s goals have been scored in the second half.

First half minutes

8 Penalty Whitstable Town away League Cup

15 Goal Faversham Town away League

21 Penalty Sittingbourne home League

26 Goal Ramsgate away League

26 Penalty Whitstable Town home League

29 Goal AFC Croydon Athletic home FA Cup

31 Goal Haywards Heath Town away League

44 Goal Phoenix Sports home League

45 Goal Ashford United home League

45 Goal VCD Athletic away League

45 Penalty Guernsey away League

Second half minutes

47 Goal AFC Croydon Athletic away FA Cup

47 Penalty Guernsey home League

50 Goal Three Bridges away League

50 Goal VCD Athletic away League

52 Goal Ramsgate away League

55 Goal Sevenoaks Town home League

56 Goal Ramsgate away League

64 Penalty East Grinstead Town home League

66 Goal Ramsgate away League

67 Penalty Cray Valley PM away League

67 Goal Three Bridges home League

78 Goal Three Bridges away League

78 Penalty Sittingbourne home League

88 Penalty Phoenix Sports home League

90 Penalty Whyteleafe away League

90 Goal AFC Croydon Athletic home FA Cup

90 Penalty Guernsey home League

FROM THE ARCHIVES – THE PAST WEEK IN HERNE BAY’S ISTHMIAN LEAGUE HISTORY

2012/2013

Wednesday 20/03/2013

Ramsgate H L 0-2 194

Luke Nalder, Nathan Eastwood, Tom Bryant, Calum McGeehan, James Campbell, Sam Bewick, Dean Grant, Ben Brown (Billy Bennett), Byron Walker, James Turner (Jordan Agbajae), Rhys Lawson. On another day the result could well have been very different as the midfields of both sides fought for supremacy. Chances were few and far between and unfortunately for Herne Bay the best two fell to Ramsgate’s prolific striker Ian Pulman who put both away with ease.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

31 9 10 12 36 49 13 37 16th

Manager Simon Halsey was disappointed with his side’s position in the table in their inaugural campaign at this level. ”I’m absolutely sick of losing to teams that are up in the top six and they ain’t no better than us and that’s the long and short of it,” said Halsey, ”We’ve been better away from home. We know that. Much better away from home. We’ve moved up a level ain’t we? Better players. Better teams. Better individuals. Better collectively. We’ve not adapted to it yet.”

Saturday 23/03/2013

Corinthian-Casuals H Match Postponed – Snow Covered Pitch

2013/2014

Tuesday 18/03/2014

Folkestone Invicta A L 1-2 Nelder 211

Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Jordan Casey), Gary Sayer, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, George Benner, Harry Brown, Ben Brown, Stuart King, Jamie O’Connell (James Turner), Dean Grant (Joe Nelder).

It was Folkestone who were to score first. As early as the third minute they forced their first corner of the game. It was cleared but possession given up as Invicta swept the ball out to the right and the resulting cross picked out Frankie Chappell, unmarked, in the area and his sweet volley rocketed past Jack Delo. With the clock ticking toward the interval, Connor Sanders upended Johan Ter Horst just to the right of the penalty area, the home side failed to set their defensive wall sufficient to cover the near post and Chris Elliott slotted his free kick through the vacant gap and inside the post with Delo guarding the far stick. After the break, Herne Bay showed much energy and were duly rewarded just after the hour when Joe Nelder, on as a substitute a matter of minutes, strode through the Folkestone defence and drove home past Tim Roberts.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

33 11 8 14 53 54 -1 41 17th

Saturday

22/03/2014 Chipstead H L 1-2 King (p) 180

Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Walder (Jordan Casey), Connor Sanders (Jamie O’Connell), Nathan Eastwood, Harry Brown, Ben Brown, Stuart King, James Turner, Dean Grant (Sam Hasler).

The visitors drew first blood when Ben Brown was adjudged to have fouled Sam Charles just inside the penalty area and Will Turl made no mistake form 12 yards sending Jack Delo the wrong way. Chipstead pulled further ahead on 66 though when Turl grabbed his second of the game when put through from a neat back heel on the edge of the Bay box. Jordan Casey won a penalty for Bay when he was brought down after a strong run into the box with 13 minutes left. Stuart King stepped up and powered home left footed to end his goal drought and give the Bay supporters a glimmer of hope.

Sam Denly said ‘’That was not good enough at all, there were no excuses for it, we were really poor. I have defended the players to the hilt this season and we set them up the right way but we just didn’t turn up, we were really below par and it was unacceptable. We didn’t perform at all. We have performed for 45 minutes on a lot of occasions this season and it’s not good enough, we got to be performing for 70 to 80 minutes at least to have a chance and the game was lost by the time we got a goal back. We had a couple of chances after that to equalise, but it wouldn’t have been deserved, we didn’t deserve anything. We are a long way off the bottom three but two, three, four defeats in a row and all of a sudden we are in dangerous territory again. We don’t want to just go through the motions and I will be making sure that doesn’t happen. I have been changing things around and I will be changing things after that’’.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

34 12 8 14 54 56 -2 41 18th

2014/2015

Saturday 21/03/2015

Corinthian-Casuals A W 1-0 Hasler 278

Jack Delo, Joe Nelder, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Dan Bent, Danny Walder, Danny Spiller (Harry Brown), Steven Ita, Mark Lovell (Jordan Casey), Sam Hasler.

Herne Bay stayed in contention for a play-off place. With half time looming, Liam Quinn was brought down on the edge of the box by Ross Defoe, up stepped Sam Hasler who fired in an unstoppable free kick that left Danny Bracken in the Casuals’ goal grasping thin air, top left hand corner, which won him the Goal of the Season award. In the 52nd minute Casuals’ Ross Defoe was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul.

On Herne Bay’s early season poor form away Sam Denly admitted: “It’s a crazy situation and there was no reason why we struggled because we enjoy travelling. We have finally clicked but we were so bad early on. Who knows where we would have been now had we started better?"

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

41 19 7 15 60 61 -1 64 6th

2015/2016

Saturday 19/03/2015

Ramsgate H Match Abandoned – Player Injury

Herne Bay’s game with promotion rivals Ramsgate was abandoned at half-time. Bay had taken the lead, in front of 304, when Kane Phillip headed in from close range in the 7th minute. With 20 minutes gone Nick Treadwell challenged Lee Browning and both players went down after a clash of heads. Two paramedic cars, two ambulances and eventually the Kent Air Ambulance were on the scene with Treadwell being taken to hospital by road ambulance and Browning airlifted to receive hospital treatment. Ironically, the clash of heads resulted from a challenge that Treadwell was shown a yellow card for. Both players went to ground, albeit Treadwell belatedly, with Browning laying motionless for several minutes. Both had to be helped from the pitch, substitutions were made and the game continued. The paramedics arrived just before half time, followed by one ambulance. Once it was known that the ambulance would have to gain access to the pitch as neither player could be transferred the length of it, the kick off for the second half was delayed and eventually the game was abandoned to await the arrival of a second ambulance and the air ambulance. By then some 50 minutes had elapsed following the end of the first half.

“Lee’s been flown to Ashford Hospital (William Harvey) to have a scan on his head, we think it’s precautionary but obviously he wasn’t in a good way, so we wait to see what that reveals and we hope that he is ok”, said Sam Denly. “It was a bad clash of heads, we got him in the physio room straight away and he started having a few fits, it was a real concern to us, all of our thoughts are with him and we hope that he will be ok. We hope that both he and Treds (Nick Treadwell) will make a speedy recovery. It was absolutely the right decision to abandon the game by the referee.”

“My main concern was Lee Browning and obviously Jim’s (Jim Ward, Ramsgate manager) was Treadwell and football becomes incidental. The referee made the right call and both managers agreed”. They were released later in the evening after undergoing scans and being given the all-clear. Unfortunately, the goal by Phillip, which would have been his second in 15 starts and 43 substitute appearances, would not stand in the record books. Sam Denly said: “We will be monitoring and assessing Lee during the week and I will also be taking advice from physios and medical staff. The decision when to play again will be entirely down to him. It wasn’t nice to see, and their condition became even more of a worry at half-time. I must also thank our physio Gemma Horswell who dealt with the whole situation and showed her worth.” The injury forced Lee Browning to retire from football on medical advice.

Sam Denly said: “Lee saw a neurologist and was told playing any contact sport in the future could leave him brain damaged or effect his sight. He and everyone connected with the club are devastated by the news. Lee has been told that he should never have been released from hospital, has had his driving licence taken away and is due to have a scan on his head at King’s College Hospital in London. It looks as if he will have to go private, costing him in the region of £1,500 and we are planning to hold a charity match to help him.”

In April 2009, when at Dover Athletic, Browning was taken to hospital during his side's game with Tonbridge Angels when he swallowed his tongue after being hit in the face with the ball. Browning stopped breathing for 40 seconds and an ambulance was called to take him to hospital. After tests, Browning recovered and was later discharged. In October 2012, playing for Tonbridge Angels against Farnborough, he clashed heads with teammate Mikel Suarez. Both were carried off on stretchers and taken to hospital, but Browning was released later the same evening, whilst Suarez was in a coma for more than a week before making a full recovery.

2016/2017

Saturday 25/03/2017

Carshalton Athletic A L 1-4 Lovell 265

Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Ben Gorham, Liam Quinn, Darnell Weise (Billy Lewins), Adam Woollcott (Umaku Mansaray), James Turner (Izzy Adebayo), Danny Williams, Mark Lovell, Ian Pulman

Well the run had to come to an end at some time, and to be fair Carshalton Athletic aren’t a bad side, passing and running at speed and Herne Bay weren’t at their best, but whether they can maintain their play-off challenge is another matter. By the time that Darnell Weise handled in the box on the half hour and Mickel Miller had tucked away the penalty, Bay had had a couple of half chances, the best of the bunch when the Robins’ stopper Joe Tupper spectacularly tipped an Ian Pulman free kick over the bar.

Miller added his second 10 minutes before the break. Herne Bay came out for the second period brighter and more threatening and there was some hope when Mark Lovell thundered in a header from an Adam Woollcott set-piece but were unable to add to that tally when Miller completed his hat-trick with nine minutes left on the clock and at the death Omari Hibbert added a flattering fourth.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

40 13 10 17 70 83 -13 49 17th

2017/2018

Thursday 22/03/2018

Whyteleafe H W 2-1 Aikhionbare, Leonard 155

Jordan Carey, Josh Wisson, Cory Walters-Wright (Simon Kabamba), Ben Gorham, Danny Leonard, Miles Cornwell, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery (Sami Meziane), Junior Aikhionbare (Teddy Deverson), Connor Wilkins.

33 days previously Herne Bay had played their last home game, against Ramsgate. In goal that day for the Rams was Jordan Carey, and with Ben Hunter unavailable due to work commitments in Croatia, Carey made his debut for Bay along with Cory Walters-Wright. In the opening stages both teams were cancelling each other out and out of the blue, in the 28th minute, a deep cross was brought down by Junior Aikhionbare who thumped the ball past Kyle Merson. The home defence was coping well with anything that the visitors could throw at them and Carey had produced a couple of fine saves, until just before half-time when Bradley Schafer was penalised for an innocuous looking challenge and Sam Clayton swung in a free-kick which was headed home by ex-Herne Bay defender, and current Whyteleafe player-manager, John Scarborough. There was still time for some handbags as Vance Bola bundled over Connor Wilkins and then childishly kicked the loose ball at the prostrate Wilkins. Referee Kane Dempster only booked Vance for his aggression and also showed a yellow card to Ben Gorham. In his previous time of officiating at Winch’s Field Mr. Dempster had sent off Aikhionbare and cautioned Connor Wilkins, and by the end of the 90 minutes both of those names had been written into his little black book.

There was only one side that looked like gaining maximum points in the second half and justice was served when Danny Leonard capped his Man of the Match performance, latching onto Tom Carlton’s pass and burying the ball. Simon Kabamba came on for Cory Walters-Wright to become the 42nd player to represent Herne Bay this season in competitive football. The game showed that class is permanent whilst league position is temporary.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

35 16 3 16 65 70 -5 51 12th

Saturday 24/03/2018

Walton Casuals A L 0-7 162

Ben Hunter, Simon Kabamba, Cory Walters-Wright (Danny Rumbol), Ben Gorham, Josh Wisson (John Ufuah), Miles Cornwell, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Danny Leonard, Connor Wilkins (Sami Meziane).

A first visit to the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub and a tired looking Herne Bay were second best in every department with the Stags going ahead after just two minutes. Bay did produce some good football in the first half but the speed of the Casuals’ forwards were causing all sorts of problems and the home side went into the break three goals to the good.

In the second period Josh Kelly completed his hat-trick and the dangerous Youseff Bamba helped himself to a pair. The lack-lustre performance was summed up on 89 when Ben Gorham slid the ball past Ben Hunter and into his own net. Bay’s best chance came in the closing seconds when Danny Leonard’s fierce strike was spilled by Denzel Gerrar, but the keeper reacted quickly enough to thwart the advancing Jake Emery.

John Embery: “We have learnt from it this week and the players understand that rest time is key. It was always going to be a test as we had no recovery time. Even Premier League players moan about having to play in Europe on a Wednesday and a game on Saturday. Our lads also have jobs to go to during the week. We made three awful mistakes at Walton Casuals. They did not play all week and that was always the concern for us going into that game. When I spoke to them (the players) on Friday most of them were stiff as a board.”

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

36 16 3 17 65 77 -12 51 12th

Junior Aikhionbare left to join Greenwich Borough following a seven-day approach.

2018/2019

Saturday 23/03/2019

VCD Athletic A L 0-2 (0-2)

123

Simon Overland, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Raphe Brown, Danny Rumbol, Dan Birch, Harry Miller (Freddie Rumbol), Bradley Schafer, Matt Hathaway (Victor Aiyelabola), Ronald Sobowale, Tahjae Anderson (Lewis Risk), Danny Leonard.

With Ben Gorham on FA Vase semi-final duty with Canterbury City, Connor Wilkins injured, Simon Kabamba attending a family matter and Callum Adonis-Taylor failing a last-minute fitness test it was a much-depleted team that started. In came new signing Dan Birch, Matt Hathaway started for the first time and Harry Miller regained a starting berth.

Simon Overland, the only player over 21 years of age in the Herne Bay squad, was to thank for keeping Herne Bay in the game in the early exchanges although things may have been different had Ronald Sobowale’s effort travelled a foot further before being cleared and referee Simon Finnegan had seen the push in the back on Dan Birch 12 yards out.

In the 35th minute Charlie McDonald gave VCD the lead. Bay lost possession midway in their own half and a break at pace followed, with the ball moved swiftly up into the box where McDonald placed the ball wide of Overland. On the balance of play it was possibly a deserved lead. Raphe Brown was denied his first goal for the club by the outstretched foot of Vickers keeper Matt Funnell.

Bay threatened more after the break with chances for Sobowale, Danny Leonard and Bradley Schafer, and it was the midfield who looked the more threatening with the strikers bit part players, as Vickers packed their defence. On 87, with Harry Miller stepping off the pitch injured, an off-side Ali Fuseini fired an unstoppable volley into the top corner to seal the victory, with the referee deeming Miller to have kept him on-side. The longest unbeaten run of the season (five games) had come to an end.

123 was VCD’s highest league crowd of the season so far, with at least half made up of those supporting Herne Bay.

P W D L F A GD Pts. Pos.

Home 15 4 1 10 23 38 -15 13

Away 15 5 3 7 31 35 -4 18

Total 30 9 4 17 54 73 -19 31 16th

THE WEEK AT HERNE BAY FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

16th March 2020 - The FA on Grassroots Football

GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND SUSPENDED We have issued a further update regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on football in England.

Following the Government’s announcement today, for people to avoid social contact and gatherings where possible, we are now advising that all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future.

Throughout this period, we have taken Government advice with the priority being the health and wellbeing of all. We will continue to work closely with the grassroots game during this time.

We are in regular communication with the Government and the situation within English football at all levels remains under regular review. Further updates will follow as needed.

16th March 2020

A new statement from the

Board of the Isthmian League Following statements from the UK Government yesterday as well as statements from The FA, the Leagues forming Steps 1-4 of the National Leagues System with representatives of Steps 5-6 met by conference call and decided that all matches be suspended until April 3. The Isthmian League Board also met yesterday by video conference and agreed that all matches, including the Development League, the Youth League and Cup, The Women’s Cup and the Velocity Trophy be suspended until that date.

The likelihood is that matches will not start again on 4 April, and in the meantime the League will work with all others in the game to ensure that Clubs are kept up to date with the latest information. It cannot be stressed too much that these are unprecedented times. The Board will do what it can to ensure that football can recommence as soon as possible, and that the League does not put more pressure on Clubs financially while the future is unknown. N. R. Robinson Chairman Isthmian Football League.

Ben Smith suggested the Isthmian League should consider axing some cup competitions next season. He admitted football doesn’t take priority at the moment in light of the coronavirus outbreak, but he backed the Isthmian League’s decision to join the Premier League and Football League in suspending play before the weekend, and he was surprised to see the National League and Southern Counties East continue before they followed suit on Monday. “In my opinion it would be a case of, potentially, scrapping cup games next season,” said Smith. “We have so many midweeks without (league) fixtures, they can put them (extra league fixtures) in there. The problem with it all lies that there are probably clubs who couldn’t play games on their pitches even now. It might not be the club’s fault, but we have paid out a lot of money to get our games on, especially over the Christmas period. We have had companies coming out and we have put a lot of money into the pitch."

He continued: “Even if we do extend it (the season), some of these clubs have got to get their pitches sorted to get these games on. We have 10 games left. We’ve had more than 10 midweeks where we could have had fixtures in there. We had five or six Velocity Trophy games. Well that would have taken us down to four or five (extra league matches) left.

I don’t think it’s a difficult one to cram a season in, that’s for sure. Yes, you want time to train and stuff. But even with putting all these midweek games in, I still think people would have time to train. We have 10 games left and I think we have had more midweek training sessions on Tuesday nights than that, a lot more. So I think it’s easily done and easily worked.

Even if they started in October, I don’t think there would be a problem finishing the league. If it does become later than that, they might have to look at the FA Cup, FA Trophy and the FA Vase – maybe knock them on the head for a season. There are certainly ways of doing it. Another solution is, next season, you only play a team once and they work it out, so you all have an equal amount of home games as everyone else. That could be done."

With George Kamurasi side-lined with a dislocated shoulder, Ben Smith told the Kentish Gazette that Herne Bay had re-signed goalkeeper Ben Hunter.

Following Rob Budd’s pre-season injury Bay signed Hunter in August 2017 and he immediately made the jersey his own, making his debut in the opening game of the season at home to Lewes. Hunter went on to make 50+1 appearances that season and won the Managers’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards, plus three Man of the Match awards (presented at home matches only). He automatically retained the number one spot for 2018/19 but in his third pre-season game, at home to Tonbridge Angels, he was carried off with a knee injury which kept him out for the whole of the campaign.

19th March 2020

English football was suspended until at least 30 April because of the continued spread of Covid-19. All games in England's Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship, and all fixtures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, were currently postponed.

The Football Association also agreed that the current season could be "extended indefinitely". Under current rules the season had been scheduled to end on 1 June. A joint statement issued by the FA, Premier League and EFL expressed "a commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 season" and completing all domestic and European matches "as soon as it is safe and possible to do so".

The postponement of Euro 2020 opened up a window for domestic league fixtures to take place in June. However, the UK government had effectively banned sports events for the time being by advising against mass gatherings.

Opinions varied as to what should happen next. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady said the current season should be declared null and void whilst Brighton chief executive Paul Barber suggested increasing the league to 22 teams for 2020/21. Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince said suspending all professional matches on 13 March was a "mistake" because the virus had "barely impacted the country" by that stage. "I think cancelling all games until 3 April was a mistake. I think it was an error of judgment - there were a few cases in the Premier League of self-isolation. In that three to four week period we could have virtually finished our season playing Saturday to Tuesday. Instead of shutting down I would have doubled down and said let's play our way to the end of the season as soon as possible because the virus and the rate of infection across the county is not going to get better in two, three or four months."

19th March 2020

The latest update from the FA on the coronavirus crisis was sent to all clubs.

2019/20 SEASON

The FA is working closely with the Leagues in the NLS and is considering a number of options in relation to the conclusion of the 2019/20 season that falls in line with the advice being given by Government in respect of COVID0-19. Under the Regulations of the NLS (2.4) League fixtures are due to be completed by 25th April 2020.

As part of this process

1. The Alliance Committee is holding a conference call on Monday 23rd March 202 to review the current situation. 2. The FA will be inviting all Step 5 & 6 League Chairs to a WebEx meeting on Tuesday 24th March 2020

GRASSROOTS

The FA will continue to monitor the situation regarding grassroots football and will provide further updates in due course.

Government advice and news

• Everyone should stop non-essential contact with others. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women.

• People should work from home if they can.

• Friday was the last school day for most children in England, Scotland and Wales until further notice, in response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic. Schools are closing to everyone except vulnerable children, and those with a parent identified as a key worker.

• Cafes, pubs and restaurants were closed from Friday night - except for take-away food. All the UK's nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres were also told to close "as soon as they reasonably can".

• People should stop all unnecessary travel.

• Those with the most serious health conditions - around 1.4 million including patients undergoing chemotherapy - should be shielded from social contact for 12 weeks.

• Anyone with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others.

• Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. People who have to isolate themselves should ask others for help.

• Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice estimated that £1 billion of extra food had been brought into homes that has yet to be consumed. He said: "The crucial thing is that we need people to calm down and only buy what they need and to think of others when they are purchasing."

It is not often that the Prime Minister and the Queen feature in the history of Herne Bay Football Club.

The UK can "turn the tide" on the coronavirus crisis within 12 weeks, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "I believe that a combination of the measures that we're asking the public to take and better testing, scientific progress, will enable us to get on top of it within the next 12 weeks and turn the tide. I cannot stand here and tell you that by the end of June that we will be on the downward slope. It's possible but I simply can't say that that's for certain. We don't know how long this thing will go on for. But what I can say is that this is going to be finite."

The Queen issued a message to the UK, saying the nation is "entering a period of great concern and uncertainty". The 93-year-old praised the work of scientists, medics and emergency staff, but added that everyone has a "vitally important part to play". The monarch said: "Our nation's history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one. We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them. At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation's history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions. Plans were being drawn up. Discussions would continue. But there was no guarantee any of them would be activated. It seemed a long time ago now, but it was only a week since the Premier League released a statement saying all last weekend's games were going ahead. That situation changed within hours. Given England went from hosting 3,000 Atletico Madrid fans in Liverpool to having its entire school system closed down within the space of a week and Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of "further and faster measures" being possible, there was simply no guarantee about football being played at any point in the near future.

Ex-Bay player tests positive

Portsmouth’s Sean Raggett tested positive for coronavirus. Raggett joined Pompey on loan from Norwich City in July 2019 and had also been at Lincoln City and Rotherham. He signed on-loan for Herne Bay from Dover Athletic in September 2012. He made one brief appearance as a late substitute away at Corinthian-Casuals. Also had loan periods at Sittingbourne and Whitstable Town.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Stuart Fitchie: Before I start, I want to first and foremost say that I hope everyone and their families are safe and well. I won’t go over what is being broadcasted 24/7 re COVID-19, it has hit the world and more relative, the world of football hard. I can assure you all that when we do get back to playing, whenever that may be, the boys will be ready and pumped to put the shirt back on. I am aware you don’t get many of these notes from me, I will be working on getting something scheduled and regular out to you guys, probably in the form of an audio to be more time efficient. For me, it’s been a season of understanding the club, not implementing too many changes and getting a real feel for the people and the culture. It was my plan in the off season to sit down and discuss all areas of the club with the relevant people where I would like changes. I will bring some of that forward given the current circumstances. More of that in due course. Anyway – to the reason for this statement.

Something I learnt very quickly since coming in in June is how much Herne Bay FC means to so many people. I had followed the club previously when I had friends playing/managing over the years, but I wasn’t exposed to the deep passion so many have. One of many (and I do mean many) positives of this season so far, has been the relationships I’ve made with all the youth teams in the town. It is imperative for me that we have solid foundations for the future stars to grow in to. I would like them to be fully involved in the evolution main club throughout their tenure as football representatives of Herne Bay. My reasons for mentioning this will become clearer after reading the below. Football Clubs are recognised and remembered for a number of reasons, but some primary reasons include; the success, the players, the ground and the badge. Everyone that have I have spoken with over the course of the season will know I am very competitive, ambitious and eager for us to be successful. We have exceeded initial expectations but I am in constant conversations with Ben and setting new goals/expectations. The hustle will never stop.

Recruitment has been great. Ben started in June with two or three players, it took a little while but we got there. Along with the current top scorer in the league, we have a squad that (now I have seen all the teams in the league) are at minimum a match for our opposition. I have no doubt that every player wants to play for the club and team spirit is amazing. We still need to do some work on backroom staff recruitment, but we will get there. Our stadium, The Kent Vehicles Stadium has a platform not many stadiums at our level will have. The space is great and will allow us to grow as the club does, but I’m talking about the support group. The willingness of people across all professions and volunteers willing to work and muck in where required is awe-inspiring. By no means am I satisfied with where the stadium is at present and I will always be looking to upgrade, but we would not be where we are without these individuals. We have some more exciting news to share with you regarding new equipment but that can wait for a future date.

A NEW BADGE?

So finally, the REAL reason for my note – the badge. It has been a topic of discussions internally for a while. No one can deny the club has history (there is a very interesting and detailed section on the club website which goes through the history of the club). Formed in 1886 and active in Kent ever since, football has been a constant in Herne Bay. Football as a sport and as a business has and is evolving rapidly, even over the last few years there has been significant movements. The introduction of new technologies and affordable solutions have meant clubs have the ability and platform to create a brand.

The current badge has been the same for quite a while now, so with all the new changes, in a new chapter of Herne Bay FC, a new badge seems natural and apt. So I can confirm, for the 20/21 season (whenever that may be) Herne Bay FC will have a new club badge. A few notes for you keen young designers - The badge is a reflection not just of the football club, but of the town. It must have meaning and be a true representation of Herne Bay. The new badge will provide us with the ability to mass produce items and merchandise of a decent quality for club and fans. With your help, we hope to create something special, that makes a statement about Herne Bay FC.

Once again, sending best wishes to you and your families in this very stressful time. Love, The Chairman x

THE LINK BETWEEN HERNE BAY AND THE HERON

Many local Herne Bay clubs & societies, including Herne Bay Football Club, feature the heron as part of their crest but there is some debate around whether the town has, or has ever had, any particular connection with the crane-necked bird of the same name. It is complicated. In the days before the written word many animals, in fact most things, tended to be called after something they resembled and sometimes that could be very localised.

The word ‘hyrne’ originates from old Norwegian but made its way via/ the Vikings into many European languages. In old Norwegian the word described the tip or sharp bend at the top of a fighting axe and, after the Vikings first arrived on the shores of Kent in around 850 AD, many of their words and terms merged with local language and so it is very likely the term ‘hyrne’ came to mean anything with a sharp bend or a ‘crook’ in it, like a track or a field boundary, or even the term to describe the odd looking bird we know as the heron today.

The town we now call Herne Bay was so named because it was a bay close to the much more ancient village of Herne, about a mile to the South. Herne grew-up on a bend in what was a minor Roman road between Canterbury and Reculver (or Regulbium as the Romans named it) with the Church at Herne being an important stop-over for pilgrims in early Christian times, so when describing the route to someone it was most likely said ‘go on the track from Canterbury until the hearne’ (as it was spelled in Saxon and Norman times) meaning the ‘crook’ or bend in the track, hence the hamlet became known as Herne. We can now assume that the Heron, the village of Herne and town of Herne Bay can trace their roots back to the same source in the old Norwegian language.

At the turn of the 20th century the press often referred to Herne Bay Football Clubs as ‘The Herons’ and sometimes ‘The Bayites.” The first picture, of which we are aware, of a heron badge being featured on the club shirt, was from the 1951/52 season. Ever since then the heron has featured heavily on badges associated with the club.

Isthmian League Division One South East

Saturday 21/03/2020

Whitehawk H Match Postponed – League Suspended

Details on how to join can be found on the Club’s website.