The Kent Non-League Football Podcast

With Matt unable to join us this week, Radio Wings' Nigel Jones fills in as we return from our short break - with our 300th episode, reflecting on a massive week once again in Kent's non-league football scene. Hythe Town have a new manager, and CEO Gary Johnson explains why Nick Davis was the right man to replace Sammy Moore after his surprise early-season exit and discusses the great strides the Cannons are making since the arrival of Matt Smith as chairman. Cray Valley were the victors in the Cray derby, pooping on Cray Wanderers' party with a win in the first game at their new stadium - Millers boss Steve McKimm reflects on that win and their start to the season. There's all the rest of the news from across the county, including Dover's 8-0 win (where's Matt when you need him?!), strong starts for some of our other sides and not so much for others, the brilliance of the SCEFL and loads, loads more.

After an interesting start to the SCEFL Premier Division, we're coming to you early this week - but we won't be here next week. However, there's no let up in quality or content this week, with three interviews for you to enjoy. It was a dramatic opening-day for Sutton Athletic as they scored twice in stoppage time to rescue a point against much-fancied Whitstable - Sutts boss Ryan Huckle discusses the comeback, his first six months as a manager and looks ahead to his first FA Cup game in charge. The Cup this weekend means the start of the season for some of our Step Four sides, and we chat to two managers gearing up to begin their campaigns in the famous competition. Beckenham Town received an 11th-hour reprieve from the drop and have bolstered their squad ahead of the new season - and their manager Darren Anslow talks us through that, finding out his side had stayed up and his hopes for a strong campaign. And Deal Town manager Steve King previews his club's first campaign at Step Four after a flawless pre-season for the Hoops. There's all the rest of the news from across the county and the usual chat and nonsense, including Bruce Springsteen, mainly, as well as Sex In the City, Tina Turner and summer holidays...

We are back for our eighth season of the Kent Non-League Podcast - and it's already shaping up to be a fascinating campaign. We kick off with a SCEFL special ahead of the early start to the Step Five league we hold so dear - and we've got three interviews for you to enjoy. Faversham Town will be favourites again after finishing second last time out, and their boss Tommy Warrilow discusses bouncing back from last year's disappointment, the additions to his squad and dealing with the pressure. There's a new manager in at Snodland Town in rookie boss Byron Walker, and he discusses the opportunity he has at the club, their pre-season optimism and the potential at the club. And is this the season where Punjab United mount a serious promotion challenge? Their manager Chipie Sian looks ahead to the season, talks about the capture of Ryan Hayes and the challenge of managing home life and football together. We discuss most of the other sides in the division and their hopes, as well as the Isthmian League fixtures and there's all the usual chat and nonsense too, including the Euros, Bruce Springsteen and Matt's 50th year. It's good to be back...

It's time for the last show of the season and our end of season review. We go out at the top though as Kent's two league-winning managers join us to reflect on their memorable and historic title successes. For Deal Town boss Steve King, this season's SCEFL success is the culmination of nine years of hard work with the Hoops, and he reflects on that achievement, his one disappointment from the campaign and his hopes for the new season in the Isthmian League. Cray Valley PM's Steve McKimm is also thrilled after his team's success in his first year at the club, and he talks us through their incredible run, when he felt they won the title and how he has bounced back from some personal disappointments. We also look back at some incredible FA Cup exploits and the season as a whole across the pyramid, including our Manager, Player and Moment of the Year. And we save some of the nonsense too for the last show - we talk windscreen wipers, Northern Lights and Perry Mason. Have a good summer!

Three of our teams are celebrating promotion after a dramatic weekend of play-off action - and we've got interviews with all three of them for you to enjoy. It's bye bye to Bromley as they head up to the Football League for the first time ever - boss Andy Woodman reflects on their victory over Solihull, his experience in non-league and looks ahead to the start of the next chapter. Also making history are Erith Town, into Step 4 for the first time ever after beating Corinthian on penalties. Spot-kick hero Mackenzie Foley discusses his feelings after saving two efforts in the shoot-out, and manager Adam Woodward is thrilled to prove the doubters wrong after leading his side to three trophies in the space of less than six weeks. Corinthian boss Michael Golding discusses his disappointment at losing out in that final and his future at the club, while we're also joined by Larkfield & New Hythe boss Danny Lye after his side beat Staplehurst Monarchs to make it third time lucky in the SCEFL First Division play-offs. Plus there's all the rest of the news as the managerial merry go round continues, and there's the usual chat and nonsense, this week including staring contests, sports cars and hot tubs.

Another packed show after a crazy week in the play-offs - and we've got four interviews for you to enjoy. Ramsgate are the week's big losers, the Isthmian League South East runners-up beaten by Chichester in their semi-final, and boss Ben Smith gives a frank and honest appraisal of that performance and the season as a whole after they missed out on promotion. Two levels down, Staplehurst Monarchs have booked their spot in the SCEFL Division One play-off final and their manager Paul Atkins discusses their win, looks ahead to the final and reflects on the progress the club have made. It was defeat for Rochester United against the Monarchs and we hear from their boss Matt Hume after the final whistle, discussing his disappointment, his views on the play-offs and why he loves being at the club. Ebbsfleet United are still celebrating their safety and manager Danny Searle explains what tweaks he made when he came in, discusses their retained list and his early plans for next season. There's all the rest of the news from an incredible week of play-off action, including the surprise results in the SCEFL Premier Division, Bromley booking a Wembley date and the end of the road for Maidstone United.

Staying ups and going downs are our main focus this week as the National League and National League South seasons draw to a close - with Ebbsfleet pulling off their escape. We dissect that result and where they go next, as well as looking ahead to Bromley's play-off clash at the other end of the table. Margate are all-but relegated after Cheshunt's win on Tuesday night, and Gate player-coach Ben Greenhalgh discusses their drop into the Isthmian South East, the lack of a new manager bounce and his day job with Dartford's academy. We know the four teams who will be in the first-ever SCEFL play-offs - although not the order yet - and Corinthian boss Michael Golding looks ahead to the semi-finals, insists his side are still the underdogs and reflects on the season as a whole. We discuss the National League and their play-off fun and games, as well as the disgraceful decision to scrap FA Cup replays. There's all the rest of the chat and nonsense too, including Peter Kay, hibernation and Neighbours. Lots about Neighbours. We don't even script those bits...

A bumper show this week as we look ahead to the massive showdown at the bottom as the National League season reaches its finale this weekend. Ebbsfleet must avoid defeat to be assured of survival as they go to Boreham Wood - and we also look ahead to the final weekend in National League South as Dover and Dartford say goodbye - we discuss where it's all gone wrong for the Darts. The title race in the Isthmian League South East took a potentially final twist as it was all square between Ramsgate and Cray Valley PM - we hear from both managers in that game as Ramsgate's Ben Smith admits his side are behind the eight ball now, while Steve McKimm admits he expects his side to go all the way from here. We also discuss Deal's delight at winning the SCEFL, the malaise at Margate and the new manager at Hythe Town. Plus we talk Wonka, beer fridges, basements and a long-awaited night out...

Four interviews for you to enjoy this week as we look ahead to a huge game and reflect on another busy week. It's all eyes on Southwood this weekend as Ramsgate host Cray Valley PM in a potentially decisive clash at the top of Isthmian League South East - Millers boss Steve McKimm looks ahead to that match and reflects on their amazing season so far, including that 100% away winning record which is on the line on Saturday. Deal Town are just a win away from a title win of their own, but it was defeat for them on Saturday at Tunbridge Wells - boss Steve King looks back at that defeat and reflects on the rest of the season so far as his side wait to get over the line. Wells boss Steve Ives also speaks after that match at the Culverden as he comes to the end of his first campaign at the helm, discussing his side's progress and the challenges off the pitch at the club. And after some high-profile incidents involving referees, we hear from the Kent FA's Referee Development Lead Nick Dunn about the difficulties match officials face, but why the picture in the county is actually very healthy. Plus there's all the rest of the news from across the county and some of the usual chat and nonsense, including watching films over and over again...