Faversham Town boss James Collins unveils Harry Harding transfer coup

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager James Collins has continued with his squad-building ahead of the new campaign.

 

The Lilywhites have unveiled the signing of striker Harry Harding, 28, fighting off competition from rival clubs.

Harding scored a club record 45 goals in 46 games for Erith & Belvedere in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division a couple of seasons ago.

Last season he scored seven goals in 10 games for Chatham Town before moving to Phoenix Sports and scoring four goals in seven outings.

“My expectations for the coming season are to really compete, create a great team enthusiasm and really try to challenge to win the league,” Harding told the club website.

“I go into every season expecting to do that and I know that’s the same for the management.

“Personally, my aim is to score goals, create goals, excite the fans who pay money to watch us and to get back to what I love to do at a great club.”

Harding played under Collins at Chatham Town last season.

“We worked really well together in our short time at Chatham,” added Harding.

“We then both chose to move on and I had an awful lot of tragic personal circumstances that I had to deal with in the past six months within my family.

“James has stayed in touch with me throughout and whereas other clubs would be contacting me with what they can offer me and do for me, James generally just wanted to see how I was.

“There were times we didn’t even talk about football.”

Collins says he is delighted to have secured the services of Harding.

“I’m really excited that Harry has joined the squad,” said Collins.

“He was with me at Chatham and is a proven goalscorer but he can also play anywhere in the midfield.

“Harry is an intelligent footballer, reliable in possession and a leader and I have been working for some time to bring him to the club.

“He is just what we need and the fact that he has chosen to join us ahead of other clubs shows that we are going in the right direction.

“The squad is getting better by the day, we are almost there in terms of securing all the players I want and the atmosphere at training now is fantastic.”

Collins, meanwhile, has retained the services of centre-back Josh Dorling, 20.

“Josh gained valuable experience from last season’s campaign and is a stronger player for it.

“There was a lot of pressure on him to lead the back line last year. That will stand him in good stead for the future.

“We are looking to bring in a bit of experience into the squad at the back as well but Josh is another player who can have a long career at the club.

“We have spoken to him and he knows what I expect from him. Comfortable in possession, good in the air and a reader of the game, he is another player who has a lot of potential.

“We are building for the long-term here and I believe Josh has all the attributes to be part of that.”

The club have also retained the services of right-back Donvieve Jones, 20, and Lewis Chambers, 20.

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk