Fleet vigorously fight for best deal for Boro' bound Bostwick

FA CARLSBERG TROPHY holders Ebbsfleet United have confirmed that French defender Sacha Opinel, 31, and striker Luke Moore, 20, have signed contracts to keep them at Stonebridge Road next season, writes Stephen McCartney.

In a day of contract talks at Stonebridge Road, the pair put pen to paper to seal their squad numbers for next season.

Left-back Opinel joined the Fleet from Crawley Town in July 2006 and has played 78 times for the club, while Moore graduated from the club’s PASE academy in 2004 and is the longest-serving player after captain Paul McCarthy, appearing 131 times for the north Kent club.

One Wembley winner, however, has left Stonebridge Road, with Michael Bostwock, 20, opting to sign a two-year deal with rivals Stevenage Borough after his contract with the Fleet came to an end.

Fleet will be owed a fee because the utility man, who can play in defence or midfield, is under 24 and was offered a new deal by the club.

“Michael was a key member of our FA Trophy winning team and was recently selected for the initial England C squad,” Mr Roly Edwards, the club’s secretary, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He is under the age of 24 and as such we retain our right to a transfer fee. To this end we will vigorously fight our corner in an attempt to get the best deal possible.

“If an agreement cannot be reached the issue will be decided to a Football Association Tribunal.”

Mr Edwards, meanwhile, added more of the Fleet’s Wembley Wonders will stay at the north Kent club.

He added: “We expect several more of last season’s squad to follow suit.”

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