Cosgrove confirms his interest in Watts - EXCLUSIVE

Erith & Belvedere joint-manager, Chris Cosgrove has revealed today that he’s expecting to sign Lew Watts on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 33-year-old, who can play at the heart of defence or in the middle of the park, was released by his home-town club Dartford last month.

And Watts, whose previous clubs include Welling United, Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United, has the experience that will help the Park View Road club towards winning the Kent League title next April, according to Cosgrove.

“He’s going to bring more experience and stability, because as you know, we’ve got a very young squad,” Cosgrove said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk when breaking the news today.

He added: “Sometimes these young players need to be guided a little bit more.”

Another defender, John Farley, 34, who was also released by the Darts last month, played the full ninety minutes of the Deres’ 4-0 home pre-season friendly defeat, at the hands of a very talented Fisher Athletic side today.

Welling resident Farley, whose previous clubs include the Wings, Horsham, Tonbridge Angels and Heybridge Swifts, hasn’t played since Dartford met Folkestone Invicta at Thurrock’s Ship Lane ground last September, due to an ankle ligament injury.

Cosgrove, who wants to add Watts and Farley to his squad, added: “You notice the signings, they’re just a little bit older and experienced, just to lead the kids through.

“Sometimes when you get too many kids, you get the school playground sort of atmosphere.

“You’ll get the experienced men to just pull them through, and that’s what I’m doing this year, a bit of experience.”



RETURN TO PARK VIEW ROAD?:  Former Welling United defender, Lew Watts, 33, could be signing for Kent League side Erith & Belvedere on Tuesday night.
Photograph courtesy of www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/wiki

Other star signings include left-sided winger Marlon Button (Whitstable Town) and striker Dave Hassett (Tunbridge Wells).

The former Greenwich Borough boss, however, took the positives out of his side’s 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Blue Square Southern outfit Fisher Athletic today, when they leaked three goals inside the opening 31 minutes of their opening warm-up.

But he explained: “It was not what we planned because Cobham, the game last week, got postponed because they called it off late, so we had to come against these too early really.

“Second half, we worked hard and kept going ‘til the end. We didn’t give up, showed a lot of fighting spirits, some decent individual efforts.

“It’s only a friendly at the end of the day, more of a learning procedure than anything, for players and management staff.”

Erith & Belvedere’s pre-season programme includes clashes against Ryman Premier League sides; Maidstone United (at Park View Road next Saturday), Margate (at home seven days later) before a trip to Hastings United on Thursday, 2^nd August.

But they do have trips to lower league sides Lewisham Borough (Wednesday, 25^th July) and Bly Spartans (Saturday, 4^th August) to also look forward to.

“Get’s easier doesn’t it!,” laughed Cosgrove, when asked about Maidstone United’s visit next Saturday.

“As I say, it’s getting a little bit easier, they’re coming down the league’s a bit, so we’ll give it our best shot.

“Playing these good teams is not a bad thing because it will get our (fitness) levels higher, so when we play the teams at our level, it will be a lot easier for us.”

Erith & Belvedere will know tomorrow morning which side they will travel to for their opening Kent League fixture on Saturday, 11^th August.

Cosgrove said: “When we get to the Kent League, it should be a lot easier, and I’ll be very surprised if we don’t really make a big chance of winning it this year.”

If Watts and Farley do sign for the club, Cosgrove believes he will have the best back-four in the league.

He said: “You’ve got a defence of Watts, Farley, (Michael) Gonzague, (Barry) Gibson or (Matt) Bedford. You’re not going to get many better than that in the Kent League, are you?

He added: “It will be a good team to beat us.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvedere.fc.co.uk