Former Herne Bay and Hythe Town boss Sam Denly has “missed” out on all the recent controversy over the cancellation of the majority of the remainder of the Kent Non-League season as he currently doesn’t have a club.

But then he is in a unique position where he knows the Leagues involved and can give an unbiased view of the events of the past month… and that’s what he’s done with KSN’s chief football writer Mike Green.

“I am glad that I’m not involved at the moment,” Denly admitted.

“Before it all happened I was enjoying not being involved in the game I have to say, after coming away from Hythe for various reasons, I’m missing sport I have to admit and it’s all very interesting looking in from the outside with what’s going on in all the Leagues and what they’ve decided. But I’m still enjoying my time away from the game!”

“Being a complete neutral and not being involved in the game, I think I can have an opinion that is very open.”

“First of all, it’s unprecedented what’s happening at the minute, so whoever is making the decisions whether null and void or the season is to continue, can’t win whatever they do decide.”

“It’s very interesting from the outside looking in! I personally think for the Isthmian etc. saying the season is null and void, I can’t see why they’re focusing on next season whilst this season is only three quarters finished – I don’t see why they can’t finish the season at some point is my honest opinion, whether that’s in June or July.”

“For me, it doesn’t matter too much, I don’t know how they do it either – they say they’re having conversations about how they finish seasons in July or August.”

“But for me, this season, a lot of people have spent money; a lot of people have spent time; people could have had issues with their families; with their kids; with work – they’re the thing that you go through in Non-League football.”

“It’s not easy getting to an away game on a Tuesday, training twice a week, and to then do three-quarters of the season for nothing, I think doesn’t make sense and I don’t see why they can finish the season whenever that may be and next season then gets curtailed.”

“A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this season already – whether you’re bottom, top or in the middle, and of course if you’re top five you’re going to want to finish the season and if you’re at the bottom, you probably want it finished! People have all got their tinted glasses on when it comes to it…”

“I really wouldn’t want to be making those decisions. I’ve been talking to various people and some have been getting very frustrated by it, but if you put yourself in the positions of those making the decisions, it’s not going to be easy and you’ll always upset someone!”

One of the sides to potentially miss out on a post season was one of Denly’s old clubs – Herne Bay.

“They’ve had a great season,” he said, “I speak to Ben (Smith the Bay manager) quite a lot. We speak about players and how they’re getting on and they’re doing brilliantly and have a very good side.”

“It must be frustrating for them as they’re top five, and I have actually said to a few people that I fancied them to go up. Seen them a few times and I think that they’re an outstanding side and he’s got a lot of good players who Ben’s managed to keep happy.”

“They were on a really good run and I think you’d have done well to not tip them to go up this year. You’ve got to feel sorry for them as they’ve worked so hard to get in that position, which is why, like all the top clubs, they get the opportunity to finish it!”

“I do find it interesting with the Leagues that they all want it their own ways at times. It’s all null and void, but cards stand, fines stand, so I can see why it frustrates clubs and players because sometimes they want their cake and eat it.”

“So, it can be frustrating – again I understand it’s difficult! The Clubs are being hit quite hard in the pocket financially at the moment and I think keeping their heads above water is probably going to be their main concern and they’ve still got to pay for fines in a season that effectively won’t exist – so that’s another issue that I would suggest will need to be looked at, but I would imagine the way the Leagues and the affiliations will probably be lining their pockets rather than helping the Clubs out.”

The conversation ended with us turning to cricket and Denly’s little brother – who of course is Kent and England batsman Joe Denly, “I talk to Joe most days as he’s bored at home too with the kids driving him mad like mine are.”

“I know it’s frustrating for Joe – he’s doing okay and wants to continue getting runs for England and going on and like most England players I’m sure will have an eye on the Ashes that are due in Australia at the end of the year.”

“It’s not ideal for him, but it is what it is – he’s alright and is in high spirits and like all of us can’t wait to get playing again whenever that may be.”

“He’s going well with England so we’re all really proud of him and pleased and once things do get going, he can get the whites back on for Kent and England and get some more runs for them.”

“A lot of other Tests are likely to be cancelled and so he’s probably not going to get a lot of cricket between the two Ashes series.”

With Joe then possibly dreaming of an Ashes tour, Sam meanwhile is still hoping to put his whites back on this summer for Whitstable Cricket Club.

He told us, “I’m skippering Whitstable this year – I’ve thrown myself into that and have been doing loads behind the scenes for the club.”

“We’ve made some good signings and an overseas sorted for this year which sadly is on hold now, but I’m getting into cricket again.”

“I haven’t played for five or six years because of my football. I still feel that I’m young enough and good enough to be able to play.”

“My son’s at Kent in the under 14s so he’s coming through. Don’t think he’s quite ready for the first team but he’s coming on.”

“I want to get Whitstable Cricket Club back to where they should be in and around Division One / Premier League if we can get there and I’m looking forward to it!”