Joe Denny is relishing the chance to work alongside Herne Bay’s father-son management team of Steve and Mark Lovell.

Denny has rejoined the Isthmian South East side - two years on from being a part of their squad which earned the club’s inaugural Isthmian Premier promotion.

Now first-team head coach, Denny will work closely with manager Steve Lovell, a former Wales international forward and an ex-Gillingham boss, and No.2 Mark.

The 26-year-old said: “I’ve already learnt so much from them in the first three weeks.

“They have given me quite a big role, which I’m really grateful for. I cannot wait to tap into Steve and Mark’s knowledge.

“They have been at top levels, especially Steve. I will be tapping into their knowledge throughout the season.

“I’m very blessed to have them as work colleagues.”

Denny, also once a defender with Ebbsfleet and Faversham, was part of then-manager Matt Barman’s backroom staff at Lordswood last term.

He has joined forces with Barman - now Bay’s chairman - again, as well as director of football Dan Tanner, who he was with while at Lordswood.

“I’ve got quite a good relationship with Matt from being at Lordswood together and then at Snodland,” Denny explained. “He has taken over at Herne Bay as chairman.

“He’s taken me with him as a head coach, it’s good to be recognised in that way.

“Dan Tanner, who was assistant at Lordswood, is director of football at Herne Bay.

"That’s how I got the move.”

While Denny was involved in Bay’s squad which earned 2021/22 play-off glory, he was an unused substitute in their play-off semi-final and final.

He said: “I had a successful time there, being part of the promotion-winning team.

"It’s one of the clubs that I hold dearly, who I’ve played for.

“It’s really good to be back and the club is under new ownership, as well.

"It’s a good club to be a part of.”

Plenty has changed since Denny was last at Winch’s Field.

He said: “When I last played for Herne Bay, it was a grass pitch, now it’s 3G. The bar and some of the other club facilities have improved.

“They have still got Aaron Smith - the kit man - who is a good laugh. Hopefully, we can have a successful time together and get promoted to Isthmian Premier.

“I think a lot has changed at the club but in a good way.”

Denny knows plenty of Herne Bay’s current crop.

“I’m quite familiar with some of the players,” he explained. “Dan Carrington is quite a good friend - even outside of football.

“Jack Parter has returned. He was a very good, integral player when we got promotion. Some of the new players, I know from the non-league circuit.

“Some have stayed from last year and that shows just what kind of club we are.

“I think it’s looking like it will be a very positive season.”

While Denny is younger than most of Herne Bay’s players he is coaching, he’s been pleased with how they have taken to his coaching style during the close season.

He said: “Dan is one who’s a little bit younger than me. But he still takes instructions from me.

“I’ve gained respect from the boys in the first couple of weeks, everyone has given me the time of day. The attitudes have been on-point in every session.

“It’s weird, going from playing with your friends to coaching them.

"But it is what it is.”

Denny is certainly not sitting around while sidelined with a knee injury, although he does want to return to playing when the time is right.

“That’s the goal,” he confirmed. “I’m three months post-op, having had my operation on April 18. I had major reconstruction of my knee.

“My goal is to be back for next pre-season and take it from there, hopefully, with Herne Bay.

“I’m ahead of schedule but it was quite a major operation, so I don’t want to rush anything.”

For now, the focus for Denny and Bay is on their warm-up fixtures. They were beaten by Larkfield & New Hythe 2-1 last weekend despite midfielder Scott Heard’s goal.

“The (league) fixtures are out on Thursday,” said Denny, with Herne Bay at home to Folkestone on Saturday and Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday.

“It’s always good to see who you have got at Christmas-time and the first game of the season.

“The real stuff starts soon - that’s what we look forward to, actually playing for points.

“I know the club will be in the best possible shape for that.

"We will be prepared for the first fixture, no matter who it’s against.

“We will then just take each game as it comes.”

Bay were 3-2 victors at VCD, as striker Mike Salako, Mo Kamara - with a penalty - and Kane Haysman netted on Tuesday.