Daish grateful for financial assistance

Sunday 19th July 2009

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish says he hopes to be in a position where he can sign the trialists’ that has impressed him in recent weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.

The much changed Fleet opened their pre-season campaign against two Ryman Premier League sides, beating newly promoted Aveley 1-0 last week, before losing 3-2 at Tonbridge Angels yesterday.

With Dean Pooley and Ricky Shakes in the starting line-up, after the MyFC appeal to find funds for their signings had just about reached its target, the Fleet also fielded a number of trialists’ against the Angels, who themselves are coming to terms with budget cuts of their own.

Shakes had given the Fleet an early lead, and a penalty from former Fisher Athletic man Luke Hickey had given Daish’s men a 2-0 lead.

However, two former Fleet players, defender Scott Gooding, who netted a brace, and debutant, striker Jean-Michel Sigere, ensured that it was Tommy Warrilow’s men that claimed the local bragging rights.

Daish, speaking to BBC Radio Kent, following their Longmead Stadium work-out, says he will be signing some of his trialists in the near future.

“I’ve got a few in mind and hopefully next week we’ll get a few to put pen to paper,” Daish said.

“The difficult part is getting them to negotiate - or me negotiate - and try and get them on the contract that the club can afford.

“There’s a couple I was impressed with today. I won’t mention any names, but there was a couple in there that I thought could, hopefully be good additions to the squad.

With existing contracted players taking up a huge chunk of his budget already, Daish is looking for a certain type of player this season.

“Sometimes you’re a little bit reluctant to give a team sheet in,” said Daish. “We can only do what we can do and try to secure these players and that’s all we can do.

“We can’t magic things out of hats and produce great players and pay them what we can so we’re just looking for young lads that want to invest in themselves and want to use us as a little bit of a platform.

And Daish highlighted the importance of MyFC members to help increase his playing budget for the forthcoming Blue Square Premier campaign, considering some players in the Ryman Premier League (two league’s below the Fleet) command a weekly wage of £400 per week.

“That’s the beauty of it,” said Daish. “You’ve got a good fan base and something that you can work with, it’s working it, managing it and getting the best out of the model, that’s the key.

“I mean, at the end of the day, they’re all owners, they’re all, if you like, directors and of course being a director is keeping the club afloat and helping with a budget that is not only sustainable but can compete as well.

“I think maybe it’s starting to hit home what we’re up against and it’s difficult if you’re not living around the corner, or living in Kent, or in Northfleet, or whatever that you can realise what you’re up against.

“But to be fair to them, there’s a nucleolus of people that have really dug deep and I’m extremely grateful.

“It will be great if we can get all 9,000-10,000 of them feeling the same way but that’s always going to be difficult but we’re having a go at it and I’m grateful to all these people that have contributed over and above their actual membership fee.”

Daish is, however, very capable of re-building a competitive team that will maintain the club’s league status at the end of this coming season.

But he admitted that it’s been challenging at Stonebridge Road this summer.

He said: “Without doubt, without doubt, it’s bee very hard. Most, every year’s hard but this year it’s been a real test and a real challenge.

“You can only do the best you can and I’m trying as hard as I can, working with Macca (assistant manager Paul McCarthy), Ian Docker and everyone around the club. You can only give your best.”

Meanwhile, a crowd of over 1,000 against Leyton Orient at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night, will certainly assist Daish tie players down to contracts.

Admission prices have been slashed to £10 (adults) and £5 (concessions).

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent - 96.7fm and 104.2fm - www.bbc.co.uk/kent

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Ebbsfleet United v Leyton Orient

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 21st July 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN