Keith Boanas takes his Chatham Town Women’s side on the Women’s FA Cup trail to Haywards Heath Town this Sunday with the new boss looking to build on the two League draws that his new charges have secured since he took over. 

When we spoke to the new man, he admitted that he had been happy to see his full squad play early in his tenure.

“I was able to take a good look at every single player which was the objective especially as some of the girls had not played for a few weeks, so it really would have been very unfair for me to judge them all without at least seeing them playing any way, shape or form.”

“The training sessions went well – I think everybody when a new manager comes in should raise their game and I believe that has happened. Even in training the tempo has been good and the attitude was good.” 

“I’ve set challenges for them, and they have to rise to those challenges as we’ve got a battle on our hands and there’s no hiding that fact!” 

“I have been a coach for forty plus years and the young coaches and analyst that I have brought in have been a massive help already.”

“We’ve got a proper physio available all the time which I didn’t have at my last Club, whilst here everything is in place and it’s just about getting the ball rolling in the right direction and I believe that if we can start to become successful, Kev (chairman Kevin Hake) and the Club will support us even further.” 

“The backing behind the scenes is what drew me here. I had nearly a two-hour meeting with the Chairman – they actually did not tell me that it was an interview – he had a piece of paper on the table that was a contract that we both signed at the end of the meeting.”

“He convinced me that this was a good place to be… I have had my fingers burned; I have had some tough experiences with people – I have walked away from Clubs that have not shown the passion and belief that I have and made promises that they have not kept.”

“I do not think that Kevin will make a promise that he will not keep, and I certainly will not!” 

“I have always had the ambition to have one more crack at the highest levels – either internationally or at home or abroad or in the WSL or the Championship, whether it be as a Head Coach or an Assistant.”

“I knew players here as there are ex Charlton girls here who were kids when I was there as I have always kept an eye on players that I know.” 

“It would have been easy for me to assume that we need four, five or six players, but I have looked at other teams and other players and actually ability wise the gaps are not massive – I think these girls have been on a downer.”

“It is about how you coach them; it is about how you play and manage them, and I just think that they needed that boost and that they needed coaching – and coaching in the right way.” 

“I don’t think that there’s that much wrong and we’ve got some talented individuals here…”