Ryman League Division One South club Herne Bay have published a book on their history.

‘The History of Herne Bay Football Club, 1886/1887 – 2011/2012, The First 125 Years’ has been researched, compiled and edited by Steve Barton, Ray Kelly and Doug Smith who between them have been watching Herne Bay for over 140 years.

Containing over 120,000 words, nearly 1,000 photos and illustrations, with over 400 in full colour, which include over 70 team group photos and over 300 individual photos of players who have worn the blue and white of Herne Bay and covers the Club’s formation in 1886 up until the 125th Anniversary Season when Herne Bay won the Kent League and with it promotion to the Ryman League.

Doug Smith said “This is the culmination of work which I started in the mid-1990s, spending 100s of hours searching through the archives of the local newspapers, talking to anyone that would listen and listening to anyone who would talk, to glean as much information as I could about Herne Bay FC before they moved into Winch’s Field in 1953.”

“Since then, as Club Historian, I have built up a massive collection of paper cuttings, photos, programmes and other memorabilia of Herne Bay FC through the years.”

“I was amongst the over 1,000 spectators at Herne Bay’s first match at Winch’s Field on 26th August 1953”, said Ray Kelly. “I later played for the Club and have been involved ever since. It’s such a friendly club and a real community club. Most of the players come from near the Bay, which can’t be said of some other clubs, and that really makes a difference.”

“This project first started four years ago. Myself, Doug and Ray had produced various publications in different forms in the past.” said Steve Barton.

“We felt that the time was right to put them all together in one book and have it professionally produced. The 2011/12 season seemed to be the ideal cut-off point for this first volume of the Club’s history.”

The official book launch is on Saturday 9th April 2016 at the Clubhouse, Winch’s Field, Herne Bay. Many ex-players, managers and others associated with the Club have committed to attend and it will be a great opportunity to have the book signed by club legends.

The evening is set to kick-off at 7.00pm but as Herne Bay are at home that afternoon the celebrations will probably start earlier. Admission to the evening is free, the bar will be open, refreshments available and musical entertainment will be provided by popular local group The Lost Weekend.

Advanced copies of the A4-sized softback book, with laminated cover, priced at £25, will be available at all home games before then. Further information can be obtained from [email protected]