The Kent Non-League Football Podcast

Our final live show of 2024 - and we go out in style with three top-quality interviews ahead of the busy festive period. Welling United are four games without defeat, but assistant boss Kevin Watson reveals to friend of the show Nigel Jones the challenges he and boss Rod Stringer are facing as the Wings look to move away from trouble and consolidate in mid-table this season. Cray Wanderers became the first side to stop Dover scoring in a league game this season, and their boss Neil Smith was thrilled after a third successive 1-0 win, praising his new signings and revellng in their current form. Several derbies are on the horizon for Boxing Day, and probably few bigger than the all-Thanet clash at Hartsdown Park - and Margate boss Ben Greenhalgh looks ahead to the visit of Ramsgate and discusses his side's excellent run of form and hopes for the rest of the season. We've got all the rest of the news from across the county and all the usual chat and nonsense, which mainly includes a badly-behaved dog... I blame the owner, in truth...

It ended all square in both big top of the table clashes at the weekend - and Cray Valley PM boss Steve McKimm reflects on the late drama that saw his side come away from Dover with a point, and he reflects on their brilliant Step Three debut so far. Herne Bay player-coach Liam Friend looks back at his "soft" red card in the weekend win over Beckenham and looks back at an inconsistent start to their Isthmian League South East campaign. Plus the FA Vase is back this weekend and Whitstable Town get us underway with a lunchtime visit from unbeaten Jersey Bulls - Oystermen boss Jamie Coyle discusses that tie, having to pull his boots back on and his side's campaign to date. We discuss all the rest of the news, including the end of Ramsgate's unbeaten record, Ebbsfleet's ongoing struggles and Maidstone getting the gang back together. Plus there's all the usual chat and nonsense, including personalised number plates, takeaways, mash disasters and, frankly, some woeful banter from Matt Gerrard.

A soggy weekend saw the weather the victor in several games, but many of our teams who did play enjoyed good results as we hurtle towards the festive period. One game that didn't make it was the Kent Senior Trophy tie between Tunbridge Wells and Faversham, which was abandoned just after the hour mark - we hear from both managers after a frustrating Saturday afternoon. Town boss Tommy Warrilow admits the game should not have started if it wasn't going to finish, before looking ahead to their top of the table clash with VCD Athletic this weekend. Wells are still a work in progress but their boss Steve Ives is happy with how things are going as they sit in a cluster of sides just a few good results away from a play-off berth. Dartford also beat the weather to see off Lewes and goalscoring defender George Whitefield looks back at that win and discusses the season so far. We've got all the rest of the news from across the county and all the usual chat and nonsense including Christmas decorations, Amazon deliveries and a beautiful, improvised festive tune...

Five of our six teams in action went out in the FA Trophy - but it was another fine afternoon for Sittingbourne with another upset to leave them as one of three Step 4 teams in the competition. Boss Ryan Maxwell reflects on that victory, looks ahead to hosting Enfield in the next round and discusses his side's excellent league form. SCEFL side Rusthall are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year with the release of a book covering their history - book editor and former club chairman Ben Martin tells us some of the most fascinating tales from the club's history and how the book has been 25 years in the making. Lydd Town have a new manager, and that man is Nicky Southall, who returns to the game not long after leaving Lordswood - he reflects on where it all went wrong at Lordswood, why Lydd was the right move next and looks ahead to facing his old club in his first league game. We dissect the current situation at Ebbsfleet and look at the rest of the news and action from across the county, as well as the usual chat and nonsense, which includes idiots in pubs, running and Matt's quiz success.

Five Kent teams made it into the last 64 of the FA Vase last weekend - and we hear from the winners of an all-SCEFL tie. Erith & Belvedere didn't have it all their own way as they lost their captain to a broken ankle early on, and joint-boss Billy Hamlin reflects on that blow and hails his keeper for his performance after his side made it through on spot-kicks at Bearsted. Bears boss Kev Stevens was gutted to go out of the competition and discusses that exit, the injury problems that have hurt their season so far and his hope to get more people through the gates. Chatham Town earned a point against league leaders Dover Athletic and their boss Kevin Hake reflects on that game, the strength of the Isthmian League Premier Division and the progress his club are making on and off the pitch. There's all the rest of the news from across the county too, and a helping of the usual chat and nonsense, including Rivals, Football Manager and samosas at Matt's work.

The FA Cup is over for us for another year, but after an exciting week of league action, we've got four interviews in another packed podcast! It was the big derby game on Tuesday night and Dover emerged victorious at Folkestone - Whites boss Jake Leberl tells us all about that victory, has some harsh words for his side and admits they may be overachieving as they sit top of the table. Invicta manager Andy Drury was downcast after the loss and hit out at the decision to send off striker Dan Smith as his side suffered home defeat. In the SCEFL, Stansfeld are going great guns and their manager Bill Shinners discusses their upturn in form, settling in to a new home and his love for the club he played for and now manages. Maidstone were unable to repeat last year's FA Cup heroics as they bowed out at Solihull but skipper Sam Corne stayed upbeat despite the loss and is hoping to move up the National League South. There's all the rest of the news from across the county, including two managerial exits, and all of the usual chat, this week including socks, fireworks and Jon's massive carrot...

Matt is back for another busy show this week, as we look ahead to the FA Cup and reflect on a busy, goal-laden week of league action. Maidstone United co-owner Oliver Ash discusses his side's start to the season, why it was a slow burner and looks ahead to Saturday's FA Cup trip to Solihull Moors. Beckenham are still top of the Isthmian League South East after a pair of wins this week, and new boss Del Oldfield discusses his start to life at Eden Park, why it was the right time to move and their spot at the top of the league. Deal Town were one of the sides beaten by the Becks, but they bounced back with a 4-2 away win at Littlehampton on Tuesday night and manager Steve King reflects on their start to life at Step Four and looks ahead to some big games this week. There's all the rest of the news from across the county, including goals galore in the SCEFL and a look ahead to some interesting fixture scheduling this week. Plus there's all the usual chat and nonsense, including Matt's holiday, reading books, freezing swimming pools and loads more besides.

With Matt sunning himself on holiday, non-league programme columnist, blogger, podcaster and Kentish Man Trevor Knell sits in for a bumper show after another brilliant weekend of football. Rochester United came back from 3-0 down on their way to an FA Vase upset at Lordswood and their boss Matt Hume reflects on that comeback, explains what he said at half-time and discusses the SCEFL Division One season so far. There's a new man in charge at Phoenix Sports and Darren Anslow discusses the challenges of building a side in the middle of a season and swapping top for bottom in the Isthmian South East. Herne Bay overcame Phoenix on Saturday and Bay manager Steve Lovell reflects on that win and discusses his passion for bringing young players through. And with Dover Athletic sitting top of the table, their top scorer George Nikaj tells Matt about the season so far, how he has found the goal trail and why he's not getting too carried away. There's all the rest of the news, including seven more FA Vase wins and a 6-6 draw, plus all the usual chat and nonsense, including Biffy Clyro (shock!), songs that last a million years, Joan and loads more besides.