OUR SUCCESS WAS CERTAINLY NO FLUKE
Mentality was the key for Ebbsfleet says hitman Kedwell
STRIKER Danny Kedwell believes it’s vital Ebbsfleet United keep the same relaxed approach they had last term if they are to be successful again in the coming season.
The Kent outfit returned to the National League after a four-year absence last year and hit the ground running. Daryl McMahon’s troops finished the regular season in sixth place to earn a berth in the league’s extended playoffs.
They then triumphed at Aldershot before losing to Tranmere, the eventual Wembley winners, in the semi-finals.
It may be tough for Ebbsfleet to repeat those feats in their second season back at the top table, but forward Kedwell believes their mindset could play a key part.
“It was an amazing, unbelievable season,” said the 34-year-old ex-AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham man. “At the beginning we had our meetings and the manager said that he would be happy with top ten. It took the pressure off us.
“The previous few years we had the pressure to win Conference South. We were good enough to win it and we should have, but sometimes the pressure kills you.
“We didn’t have that last season. Daryl wanted us to go out and enjoy it, and it paid off. This year there will be a little bit more expectation, but we have to try to do the same thing as last year and go into it without pressure.”
If anyone can get their mental attitude right for the coming campaign, then Kedwell believes it’s gaffer McMahon. The 35-year-old Irishman is regarded as one of the brightest young managers in the game and has been tipped to reach the top.
“He’s not just a good manager, he’s a top bloke,” said Kedwell. “He’s such a good coach and manager – he’s got everything.
Summit
“He’s young, he gets his message across well and he’s honest – and that’s what you want. He told me at the start of the season that I wouldn’t be his main man up front, but when I got back in the team he said, ‘listen, you have proved me wrong’.
“He knows what to say to players at the right times. You don’t realise sometimes until afterwards what he meant – he’s clever.”
Kedwell repaid his manager with a striker’s most valuable currency last season – goals. He hit 20 in league and cup to go from potential bit-part player to key man. Indeed, no outfield player made more league starts than the target man (45) last term and he made more than 50 appearances in all competitions. “At the beginning of preseason I wasn’t in the manager’s plans – he probably looked at my age,” he said. “It was a difficult time, but I knew I had to keep going. “I had a really good end to pre-season, which got me my place, and I kicked on. I hadn’t been hitting 20 goals in the Conference South seasons. I was playing up front with Matt Godden (now Peterborough) or Darren McQueen, and I was setting some goals up for them.
“This year with Darren (knee) getting a freak injury and Aaron McLean not playing as much, I played up front on my own and got more chances. I didn’t think I would play as many minutes as I did at 34, but my body just kept going and going. I didn’t miss a day’s training.
“At the end of your career you have to look after yourself more and I’m looking forward to the new season already – I can’t wait to get started.”
Of course, the new campaign could have been in Non-League’s top tier if things had worked out differ- ently in the play-offs. That said, Ebbsfleet would have had to do it the hard way to reach the summit.
By finishing sixth, they had to visit fifth-placed Aldershot first. In a dramatic encounter, Kedwell missed a penalty as the sides finished level after 90 minutes. After the Shots took the lead in extra-time, captain Dave Winfield netted a last-gasp equaliser to force penalties.
Crazy
The hosts then went 3-1 up on spot-kicks before, incredibly, Fleet hit back to win 5-4 in sudden death. Just three days later, Ebbsfleet travelled north to a rested Tranmere, who had finished runners-up, and lost 4-2 after extra-time.
Kedwell said: “I’ve never been in a game like the Aldershot one – it was crazy. I won the play-offs with Wimbledon
before and I had that feeling again after we beat Aldershot, but it wasn’t to be.
“We fell short a little bit, but that came down to tiredness more than anything, with extra-time twice in a few days. We’ll be better for the experience.”
Aside from his on-pitch endeavours, Kedwell also runs the club’s academy, hoping to produce players for the future.
“We are building new training facilities with 3G pitches to help develop players,” he said. “I really enjoy the kids’ stuff and watching the boys progress.”
He also keeps a close eye on his sons’ football education. Harvey, 13, is on the books at Charlton, while Preston, nine, is with Ebbsfleet.
“Preston’s got a better scoring record than me,” he joked. “He got 70 goals last season and he’s playing up an age group. He’ll be wanting my shirt in the future!”