Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Familiar name rises from ashes
One of the most famous club names in local football has been resurrected this season with the reformation of Heron Athletic.
The club are playing in the Herne Bay and Whitstable Sunday League – halfa-century after the first incarnation of the club played in the Thanet League.
The original Heron were established in 1966 and run by Above Heron Athletic’s 1984 Morgan Cup winning squad featuring Allan Trewinnard, back far right, Rino Ardolino, back, fourth right, captain Bobby Blackburn, with trophy, and Neil Brown, front second right Allan Trewinnard, who was player/manager and and his twin brother, Mike, who was player/secretary. Heron began life in the second division of the Thanet Sunday League but it was not long before they were promoted to the first division and during the 1970s and 80s they became the most successful Sunday side in Herne Bay. Allan built a team using mainly local players from Herne Bay including Nina Allen, Bernie Thompson and Neil Brown. They won Premier League titles several times and what was considered at the time the ‘Creme de la Creme,’ the Thanet “Morgan Cup.” After nearly three decades, Allan and Mike retired and the side quickly folded.
Allan Trewinnard passed away this year and in tribute to him and Mike, Rino Ardolino, who played under the brothers, decided to bring Heron Athletic back to life in what would have been their 50th anniversary season.
The club are playing in Division 2 of the Herne Bay and Whitstable League with Ardolino as manager and his godson James Sibley as captain and secretary.
Over the next few seasons they hope Heron will enjoy further success and that the town’s residents and businesses will support the club as they once did before.