"Quite happy" was this morning's verdict from Beckenham having learnt that their opponents in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase will be Wealden from the Sussex County League Division Two at Eden Park Avenue. The winners of that tie will have a home tie against Banstead Athletic from the Combined Counties League. Early reaction from Becks Chairman Chris McCarthy "Happy to be drawn at home, happy with our opponents but just happy to be back".  The First Qualifying Round matches will be played on Saturday 5th September. Becks have not played a home tie in the FA Vase since September 2001 when they lost 0-3 to Wokingham Town.  If Becks do manage to negotiate their way through the two Qualifying Rounds then they would have to travel to meet the winners from
Guilford City/Westfield/Mole Valley in the First Round Proper.
Full Draw | Becks Vase Record | Our Cup Draws

Wednesday 1st July is possibly not the most significant date in the football calendar. Nevertheless, for many clubs in the lower reaches of the football pyramid, the publication of the draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase is always something that is looked forward to with a high degree expectancy and excitement. What non-league fan won't be checking on Wednesday to see who his club has drawn? For Becks it holds particular significance as it finally brings the curtain down on their titanic five year suspension by the Football Association. Their last appearance in the Vase was in September 2003 when they beat fellow Kent Leaguers Lordswood. The game was subsequently awarded to Lordswood.

Beckenham have raided Kent County League side Orpington signing four of their squad from last season - striker Gary Gorman, his brother defender Danny Gorman, along with goalkeeper Nicky Blue and midfielder Charlie Hawkes. Becks were hugely impressed with what they saw when the players appeared in an end of season cup final at Eden Park Avenue. Since then, there have been guest appearances in the recent Celebrity game. Becks boss Jason Huntley stated "they are talented lads and we are delighted to have them on board for next season". Becks have also signed Ryan Hillary from Staines Town.

Becks started their preparation for the new season in sweltering 30° temperatures at Eden Park Avenue today. Whilst the weather may not have been ideal, there were plenty of new faces on view although Becks were naturally reluctant at this early stage to put any names to faces.  One name they were happy to reveal was that of their new Reserve Team Manager, ex-Becks player Adam Heazlewood. Becks Reserves will play in Kent League Division Two.    More Photos

Becks are still desperately trying to fill the gap left by Cray Wanderers in their pre-season build up. Since Cray's decision to play Dover Athletic instead of playing Becks at Eden Park Avenue, they have not managed to arrange a suitable alternative. Redhill looked for a time as though they were the likely replacements but that has not proved to be the case. Club Secretary Peter Palmer speaking to the club's web site stated  "Whilst we have a game at Three Bridges on Tuesday 4th August - nevertheless we would still like to play on Saturday 1st August. Frankly, at this point we don't necessarily care whether it's away or at Eden Park Avenue".

It's the start of a new era at Eden Park Avenue: a new management team headed by Chairman Chris McCarthy is bringing fresh ideas and a new look to Beckenham Town Football Club. There couldn't be a better time to join the new team. Becks are offering a wide range of Sponsorship opportunities for local businesses - ranging from as little as £140. There is also a range of tailored packages which include the use of the ground for a combined football and social occasion. For more information email:-
sales@beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Kent League Fans have given a unanimous thumbs up to the re-introduction of the Fans Kent League Forum. The club report record numbers of visitors to the Forum in its first week. The club's Forum administrator was pleased with the range of topics and the fact that on a day to day basis the amount of news topics picked up by Forum contributors were constructive, interesting and of course at times controversial. The club's press team have also had success recently with a full page spread in the Non-League paper after the Fund Raising game. The club's Press Secretary speaking exclusively to club's web site stated "the celebrity game probably raised the club's profile more than anything we have done previously. When you see 1500 watching football at Eden Park Avenue it makes you realise what potential there is locally if you could provide the right standard of football"     More Match Action from Celebrity game

The League's AGM provided little surprises and even less to get excited about. The Kent League, for so long high on the list of endangered species,  simply did not have any surprise new applicants to help increase its fragile numbers. Croydon opted to spend their Saturday afternoons stuck on the M25 rather than the M2, and returned to Surrey's green and pleasant pastures and the Combined Counties League. Croydon were replaced by Fisher FC who no doubt are simply relieved to find the Kent League as a safety net in which to fall to break their tumble down the Non League pyramid. The Reserve divisions fared little better: the probability of having to disband Division 2 completely was saved by late applications from ourselves and Erith Town.        League Cup Draws

Public castigation always seems to bring its heavy hand down on Beckenham Town Football Club each time they have the temerity to mention in public that they have had some meaningful (and perfectly legal) communication with players deciding whether to join them or Maidstone.
A few season ago, Becks had playing for them the highly rated central defender Mario Celaire. Just as Celaire was about to complete his promised commitment to Becks and re-sign, a late offer from Stones (combined with some late night and initiative-filled courier work from their Secretary) quite understandably turned his head and direction in their favour.  Now, ex Beckenham defender Nathan Paul who retains close links with the club, talks to them about their plans for the future and expresses his interest in becoming part of the new set up.  Again, more castigation for Becks, it would seem that in this particular David & Goliath battle the little ’un takes the losses and the flack.

Becks scheduled friendly against neighbours Cray Wanderers at Eden Park Avenue on Saturday 1st August is off. Instead, Cray have opted to play Dover Athletic away. However unsurprising Cray's decision may have been, its left Becks in a difficult situation. They now face being without a game on the last Saturday of the pre-season. The club are still actively trying to make some alternative arrangements. Another surprise announcement this week is that the club seem likely to apply to the Kent League for a Reserve side to compete in Division 2 next season.  Becks have not run a Reserve team for the last four years.

Becks Manager Jason Huntley has revealed the first piece of his rebuilding  jigsaw by announcing the capture of top defender Nathan Paul from Ryman League Premier Division Maidstone Utd. Paul returns to Eden Park Avenue after a glittering spell with Stones which saw him play a major part in their back to back promotions from the Kent League. Club Secretary Peter Palmer speaking exclusively to the Club's web site stated "we hope signing Nathan sends out a message of our intentions this season; this is a major capture for us".

Becks new Chairman Chris McCarthy, talking in this week's Non League paper about last Sunday's spectacular turnout of stars for the celebrity team at Eden Park Avenue stated: "I was at Millwall as a kid and Tony Cascarino is my best mate, and I've got to know Teddy Sheringham over the past 20 years".  McCarthy, still clearly delighted with the success of the afternoon, went onto to draw attention to the fact that it was a match that had a nice touch - Teddy Sheringham playing in public for the first time alongside his son Charlie.  With extensive coverage given to the game by Sky Sports News, McCarthy seems determined to keep the club's profile as high as possible.  Stars In Action | Match Action | Enjoying the Afternoon