Croydon look forward to new surroundings

Friday 19th June 2009

CROYDON chairman Dickson Gill says his motive to quit the Kent League for the Combined Counties League was to cut down on the travelling, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Trams ended their three-year association with the Kent League at the League’s Annual General Meeting at Lordswood last night.

Their final act on the pitch was to take the Kent League Cup out of the county for the very first time, as they defeated holders Erith Town on penalties at Park View Road.

But Croydon’s switch means that the League faces yet another uncertain future as only 16 clubs will be competing in the premier division next season - the bare minimum required to run a senior League in this country.

VCD Athletic deservedly clinched promotion into Ryman One North and join local rivals Thamesmead Town, who finished 18th in that division in their inaugural campaign at that level last term.

And despite losing all of their 32 league games last season, perennial whipping boys, Sporting Bengal United maintain their Kent League status.

Fisher, meanwhile, were welcomed with open arms by other Kent League clubs. The south London club, who will play their midweek games on Monday night’s, will groundshare Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill ground - just like Fisher Athletic before they went bust due to an unpaid tax bill.

They were due to be called AFC Fisher, but Fisher FC was the club name submitted to the Kent League, although supporters may call for a revamped name in twelve months time.

Croydon chairman Mr Gill, meanwhile, explained his reasons behind switching to the Combined Counties League.

“It’s nothing detrimental towards the Kent League,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I thought they was excellent, the League itself is a very strong League, well organised. We had no problems with them at all.

“The only basic reason for us wanting to move was because of the distance. We’re a Surrey based club, in Surrey and London as you know, but we were travelling out of Surrey towards Kent and the other way and it’s very difficult to get our Surrey based players (to and from games) and that was the only basic reason.”

Speaking about the Combined Counties League, Mr Gill said: “We applied last year but we were turned down. But (three years ago) we did go voluntary into the Kent League when the FA asked us.

“We’ll be playing more games, although having said that, we had good runs in the FA Vase and in the Cups (when we were a Kent League club) so we weren’t short of any games at any time and we didn’t go Saturday’s without games.

But will playing Combined Counties League football be easier to clinch promotion back into the Ryman League?

“I don’t think that’s the motive behind it,” admitted Mr Gill. “But it’s just that we want stability for Croydon Football Club, with the manager, the League that we’re in and everything.”

But he added: “Over a period of time we would like to win it, but I’d be happy to stabilise the whole thing together.”

But all those Kent based managers that have applied for the vacant managers job could be less attracted to the job, now that they will have to travel that little bit further to get to away games.

“We had about nine or ten (applicants), but some won’t want to bother (being) interviewed now we know what League we’re in,” Mr Gill said.

“We’ve had quite a lot from the Kent area and to be fair with them, I think it’s a long way for them to come and they will be doing everything (the travelling) that I’ve complained about.

“They will be coming from Maidstone, the Kent area and they’ll be going out into Surrey and it will be a lot of travelling for them.”

But the Croydon chairman hasn’t ruled out the possibility of hiring a Kent based manager if they are happy to commit to the job and don’t mind the extra travelling involved.

He said: “One or two that have been in the Kent League and have written me a very good letter have said they don’t mind travelling in whatever League we’re in.

“To be fair to them, I owe it to one or two of them and if they decide they want to come, despite all of that (travelling) and they can convince me it’s not a problem - it depends on work because in my younger days I did it and it got too much for me.”

Mr Gill revealed that former Bromley defender Dean Forbes was high on his list, but he has recently been appointed the new Redhill manager.

“I want to see everyone as much as I can,” said Mr Gill, who hopes to unveil his new manager over this weekend.

“One of the guys who was on my list, Dean Forbes, took the Redhill job. I told him I won’t make the decision until Monday and he took the job on. I wish him well (but) he was on our top list as well.”

Fisher FC were elected unanimously to the Kent League after an eloquent appeal by chairman/secretary Martin Eede.

And Kent League chair Denis Richmond felt that they were a worthy addition to the dwindling league.

"It's great news, especially as all the clubs voted to bring them in," she told www.kentleague.com.

"I believe they will try their hardest to be a credit to the League and I'm sure they will be."

She added: "Roy Vinter (League secretary) and myself met with Fisher 24 hours before the meeting and we were impressed with their dedication and enthusiasm. They've got a strong and youthful committee."

And the south London club will be staging their second meeting at Champion Hill on Monday night and it is believed that their first manager will be unveiled to supporters on the night.

"Looks like the search for a new manager is reaching it's final stage," said club spokesman Joe Arif. "Just two or three candidates remain in the running.

"It's important to have the right person in place as quickly as possible to give the most amount of time to gel a side and have a good pre-season.

"There could be a new manager in place in time for the meeting on Monday."

The club's former owners have offered the club the remainder of last season's playing kit at an extremely competitive price.

The black and white striped home kit will be delivered with the same design as the past two seasons but without the badge and shirt sponsor. Although included in the price they have offered to also print the badge and any new shirt sponsor.

Mr Arif added: "I know people may not be too keen about using the old design, but it includes full kit as well as the keepers for a terrific price.

"That's just the home kit, the away one will still have to be organised. I'm sure this will be talking about further at Monday's meeting."

Mr Arif added that the new club was formed too late to be entered into the FA Vase and FA Cup next season, although Fisher will be competing in the London Senior Cup and Kent League Cup.

But he was pleased with the welcome that the club received at last night's meeting.

"A very successful meeting for the club," he said. "We were welcomed with open arms. Martin (Eede) was invited to put our case forward in a 2-3 minute talk to the other League members and delivered a very humble speech.

"We were then asked to wait outside for 10 minutes or so whilst the vote commenced.

"We were invited back in where the League chairman basically said, "Fisher FC - welcome to the Kent Premier League." Much applause followed."

Although Paul Foley is preparing VCD Athletic for life in the Ryman League, the championship winning manager does believe Sporting Bengal will fair much better next term.

The Mile End based club have offered very little towards the Kent League during their six-year membership, other than opposing clubs improving their goal-difference.

But Foley, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk , insists the east London club will spring a few surprises.

He said: “If they keep hold of the side that we played in April, they will definitely be up the right end of the table. They won’t be sitting with no points come April 2010 I am sure!”

Beckenham Town, meanwhile, admit defeat in their cheeky bid to sign attacking wing-back Nathan Paul from Maidstone United - a side that play two division’s above them in the Ryman Premier League.

Manager Jason Huntley announced that the 24-year-old Peckham based Paul was his first summer signing - but Stones secretary Darren Lovell and co-manager Lloyd Hume rubbished such claims on Thursday evening.

And the Eden Park Avenue club issued the following statement on the situation on their website www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.

“Public castigation always seems to bring its heavy hand down on Beckenham Town Football Club each time they have the temerity to mention in public that they have had some meaningful (and perfectly legal) communication with players deciding whether to join them or Maidstone,” said the statement.

“A few season ago, Becks had playing for them the highly rated central defender Mario Celaire. Just as Celaire was about to complete his promised commitment to Becks and re-sign, a late offer from Stones (combined with some late night and initiative-filled courier work from their secretary) quite understandably turned his head and direction in their favour.

“Now, ex Beckenham defender Nathan Paul who retains close links with the club, talks to them about their plans for the future and expresses his interest in becoming part of the new set up.

“Again, more castigation for Becks, it would seem that in this particular David & Goliath battle the little ’un takes the losses and the flack.”

Maidstone United have secured a three-year sponsorship deal at Homelands, which means Ashford Town’s reserve side are expected to find a new venue to play their home matches.

The Nuts & Bolts are also searching for a new reserve team manager and reserve team secretary following the resignations of Eric Batten and Alan Bird respectively this week.

“I have decided to step down as reserve team manager after two years in charge,” Batten told the fans’ forum at www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk .

“I would like to thank Ashford Town FC and Don (Crosbie) in particular for the opportunity and tremendous support given to me during my time.

“I would like to thank reserve team secretary Alan Bird for all his help and a big thank you to the superb supporters of Ashford Town FC who were appreciative of the flowing style of football we worked very hard to produce.”

Slade Green, meanwhile, will announce their list of pre-season friendlies at the beginning of next week.

Club spokesman Robert Smith told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “I should have a list of friendlies for you by Monday as I am meeting Fordy (manager Martin Ford) on Sunday night.”