John Embery has jumped to the defence of Herne Bay’s board following recent criticism about the way the club is being run.

Joint boss Embery says that without the efforts of people like chairman Bill Dordoy, secretary John Bathurst and treasurer Ron Boddy the Bostik South East outfit would have gone under several years ago.

Earlier this month Bay revealed they had been seriously struggling financially and just this week issued a statement calling an extraordinary general meeting for April 12 to discuss the best way forward for the club.

Embery himself has been the subject of abuse on social media, resulting in he and co manager Jermaine Darlington resigning ahead of the Guernsey game on March 16.

The pair’s resignations were turned down by the board and Embery says he and Darlington have had nothing but support from the directors.

He said: “Ron Boddy and John Bathurst especially have done a brilliant job keeping this club afloat and it’s high time they were given the credit they deserve from fans and other people involved.

“Without them Herne Bay would have gone under three, four, five years ago.

“They are the linchpins of the club, and people should show them more respect. It’s something I feel strongly about because John, Ron and Bill have done everything they can to help us as managers.

“They don’t say much themselves but it’s time people got behind them because they are the lifeblood of the club.”

Embery revealed he and Darlington had resigned as a result of constant sniping, much of which was unjustified.

He added: “People were saying things that weren’t true and we just felt enough was enough.

“We said we couldn’t work under those circumstances but the board asked us to reconsider, they said they were fully behind us, we didn’t hold a gun to anyone’s head.”

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to VCD left Bay in 16th but Embery reckons one more win would be enough to ensure they finish above bottom club Greenwich.

He said: “I think Greenwich will find it hard to pick up too many more points and one win for us would put them 10 points behind us.”

Bay are away to Whyteleafe on Saturday and will have Ben Gorham available again after his FA Vase exploits with Canterbury City.

Connor Wilkins (ankle) and Callum Adonis-Taylor (groin) are both expected to be fit after missing the VCD game in which Bay gave a debut to 19-year-old defender Daniel Birch.

The youngster has just completed his first year as a professional with Charlton and played at centre-back at VCD.

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