Daish swoops for Woking defender MacDonald

With star striker Charlie MacDonald expecting to leave Stonebridge Road for a return to League football, Liam Daish, the manager of Ebbsfleet United, has swelled the Fleet ranks by signing Gary MacDonald from Woking.

The tough-tackling central defender, 27, played under Daish at Havant & Waterlooville, back in the 2000-01 season.

MacDonald has League experience with Peterborough United, where he played 21 games, and has also played for Stevenage Borough.

He joined Woking in the summer of 2003 and can also play at left-back as well as the centre of defence.

A statement issued on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk about their new signing, said:  “”Dangerous from set pieces with an aerial presence to match, MacDonald was a popular figure at Woking, where he clocked up more than 120 appearances in four seasons.”

Meanwhile, Chukki Eribenne, Sam Mott and George Purcell have all signed new deals with the club.

Talks are still ongoing with Mark DeBolla and Onome Sodje about extending their stay at Stonebridge Road.

However, heading in the other direction are popular defender Ross Smith, midfielder Jon Keeling and PASE graduate Mike McKenna.

Smith’s contract talks have been delayed for four months and Daish has instead opted to sign MacDonald.

This brings to an end two fine seasons at the Fleet for the Canadian former Margate defender, who is believed to be seeking a place in the Football League.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jon Keeling is reunited with former manager Jeff King, after the former Canvey Island man accepted a more lucrative offer at Ryman Premier League side Chelmsford City.

Ebbsfleet United have called a press conference at Stonebridge Road at 2:30pm on Friday when the Blue Square Premier club will be revealing details of a major new sponsorship deal, while the club’s new strip for the forthcoming season will also be unveiled.

The Fleet have also lined up six pre-season friendlies:

Tuesday 17^th July (away) Welling United
Tuesday 24^th July (HOME) MILLWALL
Thursday 26^th July (away) Whitstable Town
Saturday 28^th July (away) AFC Hornchurch
Wednesday 1^st August (HOME) CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Saturday 4^th August (away) Eastbourne Borough

Article courtesy of www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk