Cult hero Ratchford returns to football

TERRY RATCHFORD has been appointed the new assistant manager of Slade Green, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Dartford fans’ favourite is one of TWELVE new faces brought into the Kent League club this summer by manager Matt Longhurst.

“Ratch will come in alongside me and will assist with team matters and training,” said Longhurst.

“As well as that he will, if fit, be available for selection for us, which is a massive boost ahead of the coming season.

“Tel brings with him a wealth of playing experience from the Kent League being with VCD, when they narrowly lost out to Cray Wanderers to the Kent League title and also from playing in the league above with Dartford, captaining the team at just 23-years-old.

“Without doubt, without his injury and illness he would have gone on to play higher up the non-league pyramid.

“I’m sure there is plenty of football in him yet and if we can get him fit he will be brilliant for the young squad we have here.

"Ratch has been playing the game for long enough to know what it takes to do well at this level.”

Ratchford had a trial with Fulham before playing for Dartford in their youth and reserve sides before he signed for VCD Athletic, where he began to blossom into a great centre back.

He then moved back to Dartford to become a cult hero, wearing the captain’s armband, before injury and illness struck.

Since then he has played for Whitstable Town and then signed for Tunbridge Wells without actually featuring in a competitive game due to injury.

And Longhurst said: “He’s been coached well and has played under some experienced managers so will also bring that to the table in terms of the management side and with his temperament and personality he will be a big hit in the dressing room.

“I am sure there will be many people glad to see Tel back in the game and I am just glad that he has accepted the offer and the challenge of taking Slade Green forward.

“All in all its been a great summer for the club - now the hard work begins.”

Two of last season’s squad, Joe Hurlock (midfield/forward) and defender Craig Thomson, have been released.

Eleven players, meanwhile, have opted to stay with the Moat Lane club.

Sam Biggs (goalkeeper); Lee Craig (defender); Terry Murphy (defender); Rikki McDonnell (defender/midfielder); Ben Payne (defender); Paul Springett (defender); Jimmy Beuchamp (midfielder); Sam Dixon (midfielder); Sam May (midfielder); Lee Woodyard (midfielder) and striker Lee Barnett.

Longhurst has signed SIX players from neighbouring Ryman Premier League giants Dartford, with Dean James (goalkeeper); Grant Cunningham (defender/midfielder); Adam Woodyard (defender); Jamie Lawrence (midfielder), Rikki Freeman (striker) and Daniel Westerman (striker) arriving from Princes Park.

Striker Raphael Akala (Greenwich Borough); defender/midfielder Jack Baines (Sittingbourne); midfielder Nick Coles (Sutton Athletic); defender/midfielder Sam Groombridge (Tilbury); and striker Jamal Assal Quartson (Newham Borough) are all summer signings and the pressure is on Longhurst to turn the club into a successful outfit.

Visit Slade Green’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/