A brief history

 

Following their formation in 1886, Herne Bay FC began life in The East Kent League. Within ten years Bay moved to the Kent League, however this was short lived and by the turn of the century they were again competing in the East Kent 1905League. Winning the league title for four successive years between 1902 and 1906, prompted a return to the Kent League.
1953 saw the move to Winch’s Field. Over 1000 spectators saw their first match at their new home; a 2 - 2 draw against Tunbridge Wells Reserves in Kent League Division 2. Within two years they lifted the Division 2 title, winning promotion to Division 1.  In the 1957-58 season the club won The Kent Amateur Cup beating Bromley 2 - 0 in the final.
The following season saw the Kent League fold and a move to the Aetolian League followed.  The 1964-65 season saw another move to Division 2 of the Athenian League, where they enjoyed several successful seasons followed by promotion to Division 1.
A good run in the FA Cup saw the Bay reach the 4th qualifying round, where they lost to the then ‘mighty’ Margate in front of a record home attendance of 2303.
At the start of the 1974-75 campaign the Club returned to the Kent League, and in the 1978-79 season they had good runs in the Cup competitions; defeating Welling United in the Kent Senior Trophy and losing to Sheppey United in the Kent League Cup.
The nineties saw the Club become the most successful and consistent side in the Kent League, winning four Kent League titles. The 96-97 season was without equal in the history of the Kent League.
Within the space of four weeks the Club won the Kent Senior Trophy, The Kent League Division 1 Cup and The Kent League Championship. A unique treble!
Their latest Championship success came last season but they were denied securing the League and Cup double when they lost to Greenwich Borough in The Kent League Cup Final.
A complete change of management and playing staff took place in that closed season, with manager Tommy Sampson leaving the Club to take over the reigns at Deal Town taking  the majority of the established first team players with him.  The new manager, Geoff Record, put together a blend of former youth team and experienced Kent League players in a very short space of time to mount the 1998/99 season’s challenge. In his 2nd season in charge Geoff had introduced a number of new experienced players to the side but the club decided they were not progressing as well as expected and decided to part company. Nick logoDenly, a former Faversham town Kent League player, took over to see the team through to the end of that season.
The team had a fantastic 2000/2001 season finishing runners-up in the Premier Division, scored 93 goals in the league. Nick received an unprecedented three manager of the month awards in his first full season at the helm. However the 2001/02 season proved to be one of great disappointment. Exiting all cup competitions at the first round stage and finishing a poor 7th position in the league, despite being one of the few teams to defeat league and cup double winners, Maidstone.
The 2002/03 season saw a new sponsor for the league in GO TRAVEL, and with impressive pre-season matches behind them, the Bay looked forward to achieving further successes in their domestic competitions but despite a fantastic run in the FA Cup, narrowly losing 1 – 0 to Ryman Premier Heybridge Swifts in the 3rd Qualifying round, the performances in domestic competition was very disappointing.
A major grant of £85,450 was awarded to provide new perimeter fencing and refurbishment of the changing facilities and these works were complete prior to the start of the 2003/2004 season when the club celebrated 50 years at Winch’s Field.
Simon Bryant, took over from Nick Denly as manager, but  resigned at the end of that season. Former Gillingham and Maidstone player, Jason Lillis took over the reins for the 2004/05 season which  proved to be very successful as Bay finished runners up in both the League and League Cup, losing out to Ramsgate in both competitions.
Both the 2005/06 and 06/07 seasons proved to be very disappointing and with several senior players, and Jason, leaving the Club during the 2007/08 season, the Club  built on the success of Herne Bay Youth with the introduction of a number of very good young players into the first team squad.
This proved very beneficial and these players formed the basis of the first team squad for this 2008/09 season. Along with some very influential experienced players introduced by new manager, Barry Morgan, the Club had high hopes for a successful 2008/09 campaign. Unfortunately a run of five defeats in six matches in October severely dented any promotion prospects. Despite a twelve match winning sequence Bay fell just short at the end of the campaign and a defeat in the final match saw them finish in 6th position in the League
The majority of the young squad have been retained for the 2009/10 season and along with new sponsors, Safety Net Associates, there is renewed optimism within the Club.
Safety-net Associates have provided a much needed financial injection into the Club with a 5 year sponsorship deal.