I am fully aware of the areas of the squad that needs strenthening, says Faversham boss Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Ray Turner says his club are presently in a transitional period after losing some key members of his squad.


The Lilywhites are presently sitting in thirteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 31 points from 25 games.

Turner, who takes his side to Crawley Down on Saturday, a side that have captured some form with five wins from their seven games and are now in sixteenth-place with 26 points from 26 games.

“We are undoubtedly in transition which I suppose is to be expected with the amount of recent changes,” Turner told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

“However, it is down to me to get the right players in with the right qualities within our financial constraints to take the club forward as we enter the second half of the season.

“Nobody is more eager than me to settle the squad down and get on with the process of winning football matches.

“I do believe though player movements will continue for a little longer before we have the squad with the right blend of tactical flexibility and experience whereby we can continue to introduce our younger players in the right professional environment.”

Turner spoke about the players that have recently departed Salters Lane.

Tom Hickman has left to join Ramsgate, who play in the same division as Faversham.

“I know for a fact it was a difficult decision for Tom, he has served the club well,” explained Turner.

“Tom was offered a better financial package and for personal family reasons decided the time was right for a move.

“That obviously meant a change of club captain.  New signing Nick Humphrey will take the arm band both on and off the pitch for the remainder of the season.

“Nick has all the qualities required to lead the side and I am delighted to have secured his signature, and I would also like to thank his manager at Met Police Jim Cooper for assisting in the move.

“Nick won this League last season with Met Police and will bring that experience into our dressing room.”

Dale Skelton is the latest player to leave the club to join Whitstable Town, who are managed by former Faversham Town boss Justin Luchford.

Turner said: “Dale is another player who has served this club well, has always been professional throughout a season where unfortunately injuries and work commitments have restricted his appearances.”

Turner said he continues his search to bring in new players to the club.

He said:  “Fundamentally I have to work with the players that want to be at this football Club and are motivated by our vision. This has been my philosophy throughout. I am not about to let these issues disturb my focus on the considerable task of re-building the side, a side that our supporters enjoy watching and a side that can not just compete but be successful at this level.

“I am fully aware of the areas in the squad that I feel need strengthening and we have targets of our own that I am hopeful will come and join the club in the near future.”

Attendances at Salters Lane this season have been disappointing, with average league gates of 146 being the tenth best supported club in the divison.

“As always without your support we can not do any of this, we have come so far in a short space of time but as we all know finances dictate our ambitions as regards the type of player we can attract to the club,” said Turner.

“This can only be addressed by more people coming through the gates and more people willing and able to support the club behind the scenes.”

Turner added:  “It has certainly been a great grounding for me in my first full season, don't get me wrong it is not ideal when you are spending nearly all the time on the phone getting new players in, especially as I like to be on the training ground working on new ideas, however it is part and parcel of being a non-league manager.

“It is a task I am embracing and the fact we have managed to bring into the club so many players who have played for clubs in higher divisions shows how much potential the club has.

“I very much hope we can all work together to bring success both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing you at our next home game, against the league leaders Bognor Regis on 28 January.”

Quotes courtesy of Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk  

Crawley Down  v  Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21^st January 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Haven Sportsfield (Haven Centre), Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex RH10 4LJ