The Opposing View - Whitstable Town v Erith & Belvedere, SCEFL Premier, Saturday 29 October 2022
with Steve Growns, Whitstable Town Programme Editor

• How has Whitstable's season been so far?

The season so far has been somewhat of a mixed bag and was in danger of slipping away into mediocrity or worse, until the club and management decided it was time for a change with Richard Styles resigning as manager. The writing was on the wall with much dissatisfaction amongst the support and the club acted quickly in bringing in Marcel Nimani and Craig Coles, who have totally turned around the mood at the club in just two games. Unable to play at home at the start of the season, due to the new artificial surface being laid, we did start positively with 3 away wins in the league, although these matches were interspersed with exiting both the FA Cup and FA Vase at the first hurdles. Those away wins were the highlight as five defeats at home from six matches set the tone. However, Marcel has come in and totally changed our style of play and two wins on the road in three days have brought the smiles and optimism back to players and supporters alike.

• How has adjusting to life back in SCEFL been for Whitstable?

Life back in the SCEFL has meant some adjustment, as we get used to being a big fish that other teams want to beat, whereas in the Isthmian we were perennial relegation battlers. Not being able to play at home at the start of the season made things no easier, but I do find at this level the clubs are so friendly, as an example when we played at Erith Town and due to major M2 traffic issues none of the committee could make the match so a group of supporters were invited to share the half time sandwiches and cake….shame we got stuffed 5-2!

• What do you know already about Erith & Belvedere?

My knowledge of Erith & Belvedere is limited, as we haven’t met too often over recent years. I do remember from my early days watching Kent League football, as a young lad in the early 80’s, I considered them a very good team as they won promotion to the Southern League. More recently times have not been so good, but things appear to have turned around and be on a more stable footing and I had the Deres down as top five finishers in my prediction for this season.

• Prediction and thoughts on the game v Erith & Belvedere?

Two weeks ago this Saturday’s match was not one I was looking forward to, but since our change of management, our style of play has improved massively and with three or four changes in personnel, I am now looking forward very much to the match. I am optimistic we will be competing at the same high level as Erith & Belvedere and it should be a great tussle. My heart says we will win, but my head says a draw will be the outcome, so I am going 2-2. Even if we were to lose, as long as we play in the same manner as the last two games there will be positives to take (I tend to be a glass half full chap!).

• Hopes for Whitstable's season?

Hopes for this season were initially a top 5 finish and a good run in one of the cups, disappointingly we exited three cup competitions at the first hurdle. Despite the disjointed start, now that we have the new management team in place, I am more confident than at the start of the season and feel we will certainly be in the mix for second place and a playoff. Matches like this will be the test of that. Maybe even a shot at top spot should the current top team falter?? You have to dream in football after all!