Herne Bay boss Sam Denly is calling on the public to get behind the club as he fears the only thing which could derail his team’s upward momentum is off-field strife.

Bay are within three points of the play-offs in Ryman League, Division 1 South, having beaten Sittingbourne 2-0 in the Kent derby at Winch’s Field on Saturday.

However, Denly revealed meetings this week have highlighted the need to boost gate receipts and attract new investment to the club.

Denly said: “I’m pleased with how things are going. We are settled and getting to where we want to be. We’re three points off the play-offs and all know we’re doing well.

“It’s a shame, though, that off-the-field, there are a few things going on behind the scenes which I am hoping doesn’t detract from what we’re doing on it.

We don’t want it to derail us but the club is struggling financially.

“We need supporters to come out to games and support us, we need sponsors too. This is the second season we’ve gone without a main sponsor which doesn’t help.

“There have been meetings this week with the board and committee and all I can do right now is carry on doing my job, keep the players together and concentrate on a big game for us on Saturday.”

Carshalton visit 10th-placed Bay on Saturday (3pm) with Denly knowing a win could take his side into the top-six and within striking distance of the
play-offs.

He said: “The lads are all happy with the way things are going. They want to play for Herne Bay, they’re not here for the money. I’m hoping this will bring us all even closer together.

“If we play like we did on Saturday. there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get another win.”

Saturday’s win over the Brickies – which ended a run of two straight league defeats at Winch’s Field – saw Bay keep their first clean sheet in nine games, dating back to
September.

Denly said: “I was looking for a reaction from the defenders and I got it. We’ve been shipping too many goals lately and I told them as much before the game. I couldn’t have asked for more from them.”