A "breath of new life" spreads across Homelands

Ashford Town manager Clive Walker has tonight revealed that the club’s star striker, Walid Matata, 24, “has been offered terms” to stay at The Homelands, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Tottenham resident was initially enticed to Dover Athletic by former boss Steve Browne, and played under Walker when Browne was relieived of his duties, before switching to Folkestone Invicta back in December 2005 in the deal that took Invicta’s record breaking hit-man James Dryden to Crabble.

And Tim Thorogood, the club’s director of football, has enticed Barry Gardner back to the club on non-contracted terms, following spells at Bromley, Tooting & Mitcham United, and his last club, Cray Wanderers.

Striker Rob Denness, 18, was signed on contracted terms from their Ryman League Division One South rivals, Chatham Town yesterday, whilst former Tonbridge Angels and Dover Athletic midfielder Danny Lye, who played in the Kent Senior Trophy final for Bearsted in April, returns.

“I tried to get him before,” Walker said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on bringing Denness from Chatham Town yesterday.

“I’ve known him for ages. He brings a bit of strength, power and pace up front, which is what we need at Ashford.”

Walker said that Ian Ross, Kenny Jarrett-Elliott, Lee Ealham, Jamie Smith, Ambrose Kamara and Matt Carruthers were all released before he took over.

On signing Gardner, Walker added: “I haven’t spoken to the lad yet. Tim Thorogood spoke to him, that’s the situation with that. The other one I’ve got is Danny Lye.

“Danny gives us height and some strength and can cover a few positions for me.”

Walker believes George Fenwick, who topped the club’s goalscoring charts with eighteen last season, will be signing for rivals Cray Wanderers.

The Hayes Lane club also confirmed that their winger Ross Lover, 21, has re-signed for Ian Jenkins’ side late last night.

“I think he’s going to Cray, but I’m not sure,” Walker said of Fenwick. “He’s been offered a deal at Ashford, but I think he’s going to Cray.

“Obviously (I’m disappointed that he’s leaving as) he’s scored a few goals last year, but players are players.”

Walker is relishing the opportunity of working with his six summer signings - the others being former Dover Athletic trio, Lee Spiller, Nick Humphrey and Anthony Browne - when his squad report to pre-season training on 10^th July.

“I’m looking for a couple more players to be honest,” said Walker. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got (these) five new players coming in, so hopefully the better ones (from last season) are staying so we’ll have a decent squad.

“It will be a tough league. It gets tougher every year. It’s a good league, Ryman One.”

Mark Jenner, the club’s new chairman, admitted there’s a “breath of new life” at The Homelands this summer.

And he revealed that the club are set to unveil their new sponsors - thanks to the efforts of Peter Young, the club’s general manager - and one of their new owners, Don Crosbie.

“I can say Peter finalised things last week at around double the amount we received last year, which is a real bonus,” Mr Jenner said on his forum notes on www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“He is currently being very successful in selling new advertising boards for the new season.

“I will put out an announcement shortly as confirmation of the new sponsors.

“Don Crosbie has sold some, if not all of the sponsors boxes for the season at exceptionally good rates.

“The breath of new life into the club is obviously working wonders and people are beginning to take notice - and we haven’t started playing yet!”

Ashford Town’s pre-season programme:

Saturday 21^st July (away) Thamesmead Town
Tuesday 24^th July (HOME) BROMLEY
Saturday 28^th July (away) Ashford Town (Middlesex)
Tuesday 31^st July (HOME) RYE UNITED
Saturday 4^th August (HOME) TILBURY
Tuesday 7^th August (away) Hythe Town
Saturday 11^th August (HOME) REDBRIDGE

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk