Page 14 - Raynes Park Vale v VCD Athletic TEST

final of the Kent Senior Trophy for the second consecutive season. Head coach
second time. Having suffered a loss in Dean Frost took over as caretaker man-
the first final on penalties, there was a ager, and under his guidance the club
reversal of fortune this time when, after obtained runners up spot in the league,
having drawn 1-1 with Tunbridge Wells narrowly missing out to Whitstable
at the end of extra time, the VCD play- Town, and then the following season
ers held their nerve to win the penalty Paul Foley was appointed manager of
shoot-out 3-1. the first team, with Dean Frost reverting
During 2005 the long awaited news the to his former position of head coach.
club wanted to hear finally arrived when Under their stewardship the club fin-
planning permission for floodlights ished runners up once more. A year lat-
and the development of the Oakwood er, the club finally won the Kent League
ground was granted by Bexley Council. Premier Division title together with the
This, together with a substantial grant Kent Senior Trophy, culminating in the
from the Football Stadia Improvement long awaited promotion to the Ryman
Fund, part of the Football Foundation, Football League.
enabled work to commence early in Once again third place was attained
2006. The pitch was levelled, rotated The first season was a success with
90 degrees and re-laid. New perimeter an 8th place finish, but the club were
paths were laid, along with perimeter left stunned when the Ryman League
fencing to enclose the pitch. Floodlights deemed ground issues warranted demo-
were erected in June 2006, at the same tion, and despite an appeal to the Foot-
time that work on enhancing the chang- ball Association, the decision was up-
ing rooms also began. The spectator held and the club went back to the Kent
stand was re-sited and extended, and League. Manager Paul Foley resigned
further additions included a new raised to join Chatham Town, taking virtually
hospitality area situated to overlook the the whole team with him, and the club
pitch, and a new tea bar adjacent to the appointed former reserve team manager
popular members bar. Ricky Bennett his replacement. Under
Last 16 of the prestigious FA Vase his leadership VCD achieved third place
At the end of the 2007 season Martin in his first season, and the season after
Ford resigned as manager, and the club the team was also challenging for hon-
are grateful for his vision and enthusi- ours and, but for a disappointing end to
asm over the years that took VCD from the campaign we certainly would have
being a Kent County League side to given Herne Bay a closer run to their ti-
one that was always around the top of tle. Once again third place was attained
the table in the Kent League, and on his but this time we had the added bonus of
departure the club had just reached the winning the Kent League Cup, beating
last 16 of the prestigious FA Vase for the Corinthian 2-0 in the final. We also