Chatham take a point - and Denness - from Ashford

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell has confirmed that powerfully built striker Rob Denness, 19, may leave the Ryman League Division One South club before transfer dealine day. - STORY UPDATED BELOW

“Rob hasn’t been in the team recently and obviously wants to play football so we have agreed to let him go if other teams come in for him,” Lovell told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“Currently we are waiting on a few calls regarding him and there is a chance he may go somewhere else between now and the end of the season.

“Rob is a good lad and I’ve said to him he is welcome back in the summer to do a pre-season with us and start a fresh with us.

“It’s just at the moment he isn’t really featuring and being the age that he is he wants to be playing as much as possible.

“However, nothing has been finalised yet and he is still an Ashford Town player.”

Denness, who was persuaded to leave Chatham Town to join The Homelands by former boss Clive Walker during the close season, has made 28 appearances this term, scoring five goals.

Article courtesy of www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk


STORY UPDATED:  22:30 WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2008

Later in the day, Chatham Town manager Steve Binks revealed that he’s signed Denness, despite interest coming from their rivals Sittingbourne.

“I am absolutely delighted to announce that Rob Denness has re-signed for us after last night’s game at Ashford,” Binks told www.chathamtownfc.net.

“I am a big fan of Rob’s and really looking forward to working with him again.”

Binks has also persuaded Dartford boss Tony Burman to send highly-rated central defender Richard Avery to join Chatham on a one-month loan.

Avery, who hasn’t been able to dislodge the current Dartford back-four, made his Chatham debut in the goal-less draw at Ashford Town last night.

And Binks said: “I am also delighted with Richard Avery’s first appearance at centre back last night. Richard is a player that I have long admired and whilst still young, has three or four years experience at this level.”

He added: “Both Rob and Richard will bring that extra bit of quality, strength and experience that we will need over the remaining three months of the season.”

Reflecting on his side’s performance at The Homelands, Binks said: “I was extremely pleased with the attitude and work-rate from the whole side last night, especially the response in the second half.

“I thought it was a real gutsy performance and a well deserved, hard earned point against a very experienced Ashford side, on a very heavy pitch.

The downside was that Nathan Ballin (hamstring) and Mark Brooks (ankle) picked up injuries.

Article courtesy of www.chathamtownfc.net