Whitstable Town FC

How cool is this new automatic relegation/promotion process, after just a couple of seasons new life has been put into the minor leagues and winning or failing now really does have some material effect on the football clubs involved. writes Peter Albin

The three promotees to Ryman 1 South last season produce three differing tales to tell, Maidstone United won the league and another promotion, Horsham YMCA had a solid season finishing just above mid-table and Godalming found they couldn't quite cut the mustard at a higher level finishing rock bottom. What excitement lies ahead for each of the clubs involved and their supporters?

What's in prospect for this year's new boys? Well Whitstable Town look to put their new account in credit on Saturday afternoon against fellow promotees Eastbourne Town, who travel around eighty miles to get here. The Saffrons won Sussex Division One last season by a point from Whitehawk with a six-one win at Oakwood on the last day. The Oystermen, as you probably know if your reading this website, won the Kent Premier League having done most of the spade work in the first three-quarters of the season, almost coasting over the line. Difficult to second guess the result between the sides, you can rest assured they will both be busting a gut to pick up their first Ryman League points. A must see for anyone with the slightest interest of either club's fortunes. Kick off 3.00pm at the Belmont Road ground. See you on the terraces.

Another fresh pairing to the league are Chipstead, who won the Combined Counties League beating Merstham in what ended up as a two horse race, and Walton & Hersham who dipped out of the Ryman Premier by finishing next to last and, no doubt, keen to bounce straight back up. Chipstead are hosts and will be keen to measure their performance against a side that would have been two leagues higher this time last season. I think even a draw for the home side would be a great result for them.

Worthing are the other 'new boys' who will entertain Sittingbourne on Saturday. Worthing finished at the foot of the Ryman Premier while the 'Brickies' finished in tenth spot in Division One. Another eighty mile one way trip this one, a long way to go not to put in a decent performance at the end, I fancy Sittingbourne might pick up the points.

Now for the 'old hands' beginning with Ashford Town who also have a home advantage when they play Kinstonian at the Homelands. Finishing 18th and 13th respectively last season, both sides will be looking to make a better fist of it this term. Ashford won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last year and will be keen to repeat that feat.

With the farthest to travel this week are Dover Athletic who have been hitting all the local headlines with the appointment of a ceratin manager. Well the talking stops and the real test will begin for them at Horsham YMCA. The 'Whites' faithful will be willing their side to win the league outright after having dipped out in the play-offs for the last two years while Ramsgate and Maidstone have gone through by right. Although newly promoted to the Ryman 1 themselves last year, YMCA produced a nil-nil result from this match in front of a couple of hundred people during a solid campaign which saw them finish mid table. This result definitely not a foregone conclusion.

Chatham Town are also away and travel to Corinthian-Casuals who were reprieved from relegation from next to last spot due to Dartford's realignment to Ryman 1 North. Chatham were also flirting with the foot of the table during last season but put their games in hand to good use finishing well out of danger. For the record the visitors won an easy 4-1 last year.

Cray Wanderers play at Whyteleafe who finished eight points above the relegation spot in 06/07. The league results between the two sides were both draws 2-2 at this venue and 0-0 in Bromley, this game should be useful gauge of their current form.

Leatherhead host the Metropolitan Police who came in sixth, just outside the play offs. The Blues won 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last year. Croydon Athletic travel to Molesey where they were beaten 3-0 at the end of March.

Tooting and Mitcham were runners up in the Division but lost out to Hastings in the play-off final in fromnt of over 1100 spectators, so close yet so afr away. They set out on the new campaign playing host to Burgess Hill Town 0-2 who happened to beat them by two goals to nil last year. A result that cost them in the end as they missed the title by a single point.

Finally but by no means least Dulwich Hamlet travel across town to Walton Casuals, where they took all three points last year.

I'd like to wish all the players and coaches good luck for the new season Enjoy the ride I know I will and …

Wherever you watch your football, enjoy it to the full!

Peter Albin - 14/08/07