Belmont Banter

July 20 2020

Belmont Banter (episode 5) The Official podcast of Whitstable Town F.C.

Today’s guest is Steve Growns a local supporter talking to Belmont Banter, born in Whitstable and living five minutes from The Belmont Ground Steve’s first time watching the oysters was when he was nine years’ old. Steve chats with Tony Rouse about when they were both youngsters and used to crawl under the seating of the main stand and treat it like a den when the football on the pitch was not that interesting.  He talks about players from the 80’s a period he remembers well; speaking about many local players and managers; the likes of Jerry Alan, Neil Davey, Andy Leech, Nick Denly and club stalwarts Peter Merit and Trevor Gowan amongst others.

His involvement today with Whitstable through his twitter account @The Gas Works End’ which is all about the club. Admits (apart from his family) he has three loves; Whitstable Town, Southampton and Clyde in Scotland. Steve tells Belmont Banter the story of going out for a meal with Clyde manager Barry Ferguson and others from the club after a match. Sitting spellbound as Ferguson cleared a space on the table and using salt and pepper pots so that he could show everyone how they lost the match. How he has amassed over 30 Clyde team shirts since he started following the them, albeit mostly from afar. He looks back to October when he feared for Southampton after they lost 9-0 and says even though they then lost the next two games they have the right manager at the club. Ended by saying that Joe has passed Whitstable Town onto a safe pair of hands in Steve Clayton and that ex player Lloyd Blackman is the right manager at the right time for Whitstable Town.

July 13 2020

Belmont Banter (episode 4) The Official podcast of Whitstable Town F.C.

Ex Whitstable Town F.C. manager Scott Porter chats about his time at Whitstable winning his second promotion with Town after achieving the same feat with Hythe. His record breaking run in the F.A. Cup worth between £40 and £45,000 to Hythe after the F.A. Cup First Round away at Hereford, staying up all night celebrating then hung over and being interviewed by the BBC in the morning. A silly prank ending his promising football career after sledging down a hill near Folkestone on a ‘For Sale’ sign, he still has trouble with his knee to this day.  Admitting to Belmont Banter that he is not everyone’s cup of tea, saying he is a winner and only interested in winning, and that all his players love him, he says he has the knack is being the manager in the changing room and a mate in the bar.

As a 15 years old playing right back for Folkestone’s first team against Faversham, winning 8-0 and setting up two of the goals. Despite his wonderful achievements at Hythe; Scott says… ‘the season at Whitstable Town ranks as my most enjoyable of them all; from the chairman, the football, the fans, the club, the players, the presentation night and the holiday away with all the players, that was the best time ever.’ I told that group of players this is something that you probably will never have again. Scott finishes by speaking about his new project; taking Hawking his local village club to the Kent League Premier Division. Whatever happens, with Scott Porter as manager it will be one hell of a journey. We wish him well…

Each Monday a new ‘Belmont Banter’ podcast is broadcast, with the occasional ‘extra episode’ as a bonus during the week.

July 9 2020

Belmont Banter (episode 3) The Official podcast of Whitstable Town F.C.

Whitstable Town F.C. Chairman Steve Clayton talks about the challenges of amalgamating the main club with the junior, the season so far, and his plans for next season. Work that is going on at The Belmont Ground Whitstable so that the club will be ready to start the new season, whenever that is. How his relationship with manager Lloyd Blackman has been strengthened during the lockdown, also praising members and supporters, youth team managers and coaches for their hard work getting the ground looking it’s best.

He talks about the arrival of a new tractor together with all the grass cutting attachments purchased partly with the aid of a grant to Whitstable Town from The FA. the new automatic watering system which will save untold hours of moving sprinklers about the pitch. Fund raising efforts which have now surpassed the £5,000 target. Steve confirms that despite the setback of the enforced loss of football due to corona virus he is still fully committed to installing a G3 pitch which is now passed the planning stage. The first team, the reserves, the expanding youth academy which goes from strength to strength, and much, much more.

Note: This was first broadcast as part of Whitstable Town’s ‘Quarantine Chats’ during lockdown

July 6 2020

Belmont Banter (episode 2) The Official podcast of Whitstable Town F.C.

Supporter Richard Tennant is todays guest on Belmont Banter on which he talks about a 64-year-old goal keeper who almost cost Whitstable promotion. Enjoying his time at The Belmont Ground with his Dad and his three children all enjoying the football.

He talks about the time when manager Lloyd Blackman wore the wrong shoes, and another when he was sent off whilst on crutches. Richard reminisces about ex-player Steve Marshall, and his early years when he supported Wimbledon F. C. before he moved to Whitstable to follow the Oysters.

His fund raising for the Whitstable Town and how the target to raise funds for the club went from £1,000.00 to five times that in an instant. Post Boxes; and his crusaded during lockdown to find every single one around the Whitstable area, meeting up with his mates on Whitstable beach. Football at the Cromwell Road ground, talking about ex-player Tony Daren and about the old ‘W’ football formation up-front, playing wingers, and much, much more.

Belmont Banter (episode 1) The official podcast of Whitstable Town F.C.

Player Dan Eason is the first in the line-up of many podcast interviews to come every week as host Tony Rouse talks to players past and present, along with managers, players and supporter’s all with a connection to Whitstable Town F.C.

This week we cover goal keeping, scary managers, windows, and the amazing stats of today’s guest who is currently on a 92 game run of games.

Dan Eason: So far Dan has played over the five years at Whitstable Town.