Oystermen honoured to win first memorial fixture

Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson has thanked Erith & Belvedere for giving the Oystermen the chance to warm-up for the new Ryman South campaign by winning the inaugural Martin Tarrant Memorial Trophy.

Goals from Kieron Campbell, Ira Jackson and Luke Doherty saw Will Graham's side win 3-0 to come away with the silverware from Park View Road, contested for the first time in honour of the former Deres director and programme editor who sadly died last November aged 58.

After more than thirty years of loyal service in the old Kent League, the Ryman League and the Southern Counties East League last season, the club stalwart was a well-known and respected figure in Kent football before he passed away suddenly.

Johnson is pictured with the trophy after it was presented to Oystermen captain Nick Treadwell. Fittingly, it was handed over by Ryman League secretary Kellie Discipline who was married to Mr Tarrant.

Johnson said: "We were delighted that Whitstable Town were invited to honour 'Mr Erith & Belvedere' Martin Tarrant, a true gent in football sadly taken so early."

Deres manager Matt Longhurst said: "As a mark of respect Whitstable came over and won the trophy. They deserved to win the game but it wasn’t about who won and who loses.

"It was about respecting someone who was a stalwart of the club, who has been the face at the club for a long period of time.

"Together we have shown a mark of respect for somebody who was highly thought of in Non-League football and at this club."

Image courtesy of Les Biggs

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