Departing boss Kevin Watson says Herne Bay’s supporters the best fans he’s worked with as a non-league manager

Outgoing boss Kevin Watson has a message for Herne Bay’s fans: You’re the best I’ve worked with as a non-league manager.

Watson stood down before Bay’s final match of their inaugural Isthmian Premier season, which ended in relegation, as they signed off with a 5-0 loss to champions Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday.

There has been plenty of off-the-field matters to deal with amid their battle to survive - Stuart Fitchie standing down as chairman last month while Watson recently revealed players had gone weeks without their wages and Bay also briefly were under a transfer embargo - as they came up six points short of fifth-bottom Kingstonian in the end.

Watson hopes his other former clubs don’t take his comment the wrong way. But he has been humbled by the backing he and his players have been given from supporters amid some tough times.

He said: “In my time as a manager in non-league football, this is - by far - the most supportive and honest fanbase that I’ve worked with.

“That’s not to discredit others that I’ve worked with. The way in which they support the club, with the endless positivity and regard for what we’re doing, is great.

“They are very aware of the circumstances which came out more recently and they’re thanking the players and us [at the end of the season] for our efforts.

“Not many fans - at any level - accept that and look at it with that sort of lens. We’re very thankful to them and we have connected with them over time.

“I appreciate at times I’m not the most emotional character in the world. When things are going well, I don’t get carried away, when things aren’t going well, I try to stay level-headed.

“People can misread those character traits as maybe a lack of passion. Absolutely not.

“The fanbase has