Herne Bay boss Ben Smith says player-coach Joe Denny has big decision to make over playing career as 29-year-old helps team keep successive Isthmian South East clean sheets

Manager Ben Smith admits Herne Bay’s Joe Denny has a big decision to make over his playing career.

Bay player-coach Denny has returned to full fitness after a long-term knee injury and has helped keep back-to-back clean sheets in their last two Isthmian South East matches.

The defender, who only turns 30 in October, has thrown himself into coaching during his time on the sidelines. But Smith is not eager on Denny taking up a dual role.

“It’s always good to have good people,” said Smith.

“That’s probably the best way of putting it. Joe is a good person, first and foremost and, at some point, he is going to have to make a decision.

“It’s going to be either ‘Right, I really want to be a player consistently’ because, obviously, now he is over those injuries, or whether he wants to be a coach.

“For him, that’s what he needs to decide.”

The former Ebbsfleet and Faversham man was part of Smith’s squad that earned Herne Bay their inaugural Isthmian Premier promotion in the 2021/22 season.

Denny barely featured in the season run-in - he was an unused substitute in their 2-0 play-off final victory at Ashford United - but Smith insists he still played a crucial role.

Smith recalled: “He came in for the last 10 games, knowing full well that ‘You’re coming in at this stage of the season so you might be needed, you might not be’. He took the opportunity to do that.

“I think he played 15 minutes in total! He was a big reason why we ended up going on the run we did, even though he didn’t play.

“He’s a great lad. He has got a great attitude and he’s great with the boys in the dressing room.

“Sometimes, it gets overlooked that he is a good defender, as well. I’m really delighted for him.

“Coming back from an ACL injury, that’s difficult