Huggings leaves VCD to sign for Margate

Huggins went on to score a glut of goals in the Kent League at a ratio of virtually a goal every other game with his superb leading of the line and all-round play.

Made captain by manager Foley when Danny Penny was unavailable for the club's debut 2009/10 season in the Ryman North, Huggins found a new lease of life in the Level 4 league and was one of the players of the season so far with eleven goals from 34 games putting in an eye catching performance on 13th Feb against Iain O' Connell's then Great Wakering side in a superb 1-0 away win for the Vickers (a game they had to play for 30 minutes with ten men).

Huggins joins up with his new Margate team-mates for tonight's crucial home game against Tooting & Mitcham with the Thanet based side in desperate need of three points.

Speaking to www.vcd-athletic.co.uk today, Vickers boss Foley said, 'We are obviously disappointed to lose someone of Leroy's calibre but having spoken to him a couple of times since the formal approach was made, we both agreed he would be mad to turn down the opportunity.

“Leroy is a friend of mine, a top fella and quality player and he was torn between his loyalty for the lads and us on the management side and with the opportunity of a new challenge in the Ryman Premier with the added incentives on offer there.

“It was an offer he could not refuse and we have agreed that if for whatever reason it does not work out that he can come back and I would sign him again in an instant. He would not go anywhere else that’s for sure, unless we all ended up somewhere else that is!

“It was all done very professionally with Iain at Margate which is not always the case I have to say. I wish my old club Margate all the best in their bid to avoid the drop, a couple of wins this week and who knows.

“Leroy scored 76 goals in 154 games for us and ever since I played with him at Erith & Belvedere when both of us had hair he has been a real threat up front! He will do all he can for the Margate's cause I am sure.”

With one player heading to Thanet, another is heading the other way with highly regarded defender Jason Dolby signing for the Vickers from Ryman South side Ramsgate. 

Jason is part of the Dolby footballing dynasty with brother Ryan plying his trade at Blue Square South side Bromley and cousin Tony manager of Ryman Premier side Hastings United.

Having previously played for Cray Valley PM in the Kent County Premier, Dolby signed for Ramsgate in 2009 and has been a key player for Jim Ward's Rams this season.

An Eltham based player who is a good friend of Vicker Aaron Firth, Dolby is eligible for the squad for tonight's game at home to Harlow Town along with another recent signing, goalkeeper Tim Roberts on a dual registration with Erith Town. Foley said about the double signings.

“Tim is cover for the three goalkeepers who are all away this week! I kid you not, we have James Tedder away in Italy, Jack Bradshaw in Egypt and John Parsons away with his job! 

“Steve O'Boyle has very kindly loaned Tim to us for the Tuesday and Thursday night games as we have an arrangement with Tom Bradshaw who has been playing for Steve recently to get games. We know Tim having seen him a few times and he is great to have as cover this week.

“Jason comes highly recommended from my old boss Wardy who was sorry to see him go. We had watched Jason and his brother Ryan before when they were at Cray Valley and he is a very good signing for the club. 

“The journey to Ramsgate was proving to be a problem and I know all about that, it's a killer on a midweek night especially if you are not chasing a title!

“He has a suspension coming up and was not able to get to training so he wanted to come local again and his mate Aaron Firth has been telling him how good it is with us I am sure!

“He will be in the squad for the three games we have this week. He is another player who can play in more than one position which we believe is essential when you are in a bigger league with more games.”

Article courtesy of www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic  v  Harlow Town
Ryman League Division One North
Tuesday 9^th March 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN