Herne Bay caretaker-boss Anthony Deer is eager to see the club find a solution to the uncertainty behind the scenes or risk extinction.

Bay’s future was plunged into doubt in March after comments made by the club in a statement announcing the resignation of co-managers John Embery and Jermaine Darlington.

Deer took over at the end of last month and leads Bay into their final Bostik South East match of the season at Phoenix Sports on Saturday.

However, he has distanced himself from the manager’s role on a full-time basis due to his commitment to his young daughter.

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“I’ve kind of stepped away from that (plans for next season) and I’m just focusing on the football,” he said.

“The players are unsure as to what to do, they’re just waiting to find out what’s going on.

“I’ve got to speak to the board to see how I continue next season and what the plan is there.

“It’s the thought process. We have to make sure things are put in place off the pitch with the playing budget. It doesn’t have to be fantastic.

“At clubs at this level there are players on high wages and that comes from the top and filters down. You need to have the right environment to get the players to play for you, rather than the pay packet.

“The club are looking to be in the Bostik South East division next season. Whoever the manager is that comes in, the club have got to get out of this mess otherwise there won’t be a club in five years.

“We want there to be a Herne Bay Football Club, it’s one of the oldest clubs in the world.”

Bay started Easter with a 2-1 defeat to Sevenoaks before earning a 1-1 draw at home to Sittingbourne on Monday.

“Our passing let us down a little bit on Saturday,” said Deer. “The work rate was still there but we were working hard off the ball to make up for our own mistakes.

“In the past when we’ve gone behind, the players might not have been able to get themselves back into it, but in all the games so far with me they’ve worked hard to keep themselves in the game.

“We had seven players out on Monday. Tahjae Anderson strained the ligaments in his ankle and Ian Pullman had a family commitment, but that gave us the opportunity to try new players.”

One of those to emerge was 16-year-old Luke Addy, who scored the opener after three minutes against the Brickies.

Deer said: “We played him in a holding midfield role he’s not too familiar with, but from the very first header I knew he was going to be okay.

"He's not confident in himself but everyone can see his ability. I gave him the opportunity, he's the future of the football club."

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