I have just found out by a website that I am no longer involved, blasts coach Steve Sallis

STEVE SALLIS claims he has been stabbed in the back by chairman Roy MacNeil – after finding out he is no longer involved with Erith & Dartford Town after clicking on the internet, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Kent Invicta League outfit, who have agreed a groundsharing deal with Kent League side VCD Athletic in Crayford, appear to have parted company with their coach without actually telling him either in person or by telephone.

Sallis, who commenced his playing career at Brighton & Hove Albion, moving onto spells with Crawley Town and Maidstone United amongst others, played Kent League football for Fisher last season and is a UEFA B coaching badge holder and has held various assistant manager positions, including Lingfield and Croydon, and was unveiled as a three-man management team three months ago, with next season in mind.

The club unveiled that Darren Anslow and Martin Barnard will leave their posts with Cray Wanderers reserve team and join Sallis in the club’s first season in senior football, having only played youth football as Dartford Town.

But all that changed when Anslow successfully applied to become Sevenoaks Town’s new manager, as he felt he and his squad would be better suited to Kent League football, having won the double with Cray Wanderers’ reserve side last season.

Two days ago, Dartford & Erith Town unveiled their new management team, on its official club website.

Michael Morgan, who was manager of Epsom & Ewell’s reserve side in the Suburban League Southern Division, has been appointed their new manager, with John Coleman and Sam MacNeil assisting him.

A club statement said, “Michael has an excellent pedigree with a wealth of experience of playing in the Ryman League Division One South latterly with Leatherhead and prior to this Merstham.  He can also boast amongst others of appearing for Welling United and Dartford.”

Sallis reacted angrily to this news and said: “Having been assistant manager at Erith & Dartford Town and choosing not to follow Darren to Sevenoaks, his so called loyalty that Mr MacNeil demands is out of the window, as I have just found out by a website that I am no longer involved!.”

A further club statement on Mr Sallis’ claims, said: “The Erith & Dartford Town Committee wish to make it quite clear that whilst Mr Sallis was acknowledged as being a member of the first team management team he was not formally appointed by them, further Mr Sallis was appointed by Mr Anslow shortly after accepting the post, nor was Mr Sallis allowed to sit on the Sub Committee for Senior Football which convened on 27th May 2011 with Mr Anslow and Mr Barnard in attendance.

“Further the Committee wish to make it very clear that the title of Assistant Manager was one attributed by the then Manager Mr Anslow, after representations made by Mr Sallis to Mr Anslow regarding the publicity of his appoint as only the First Team Coach, which we understand he considered derisory.

“Whilst the Committee can empathise with Mr Sallis' position it is in no way responsible for it. Mr Anslow was dismissed from the club on 6th June 2011 and as a consequence so was Mr Sallis. The fact that Mr Sallis does not wish to travel to Sevenoaks Town to be part of Mr Anslow's management team is of no relevance or interest to this club.”

The club has announced the appointment of ex pro Darren Mace as their new goalkeeping coach.

Mace spent a number of years as a professional with Southampton, amongst others, training with the likes of Peter Shilton and Tim Flowers.

His claim to fame is being the youngest player ever to appear in an FA Trophy tie at the tender age of 15 years 3 months, during his spell with Welling United between 1984-1987.  He also spent a number of years appearing for the now defunct Rainham Town in what is now the Ryman League.

Mace is an FA level 2 qualified goalkeeping coach, who is also waiting final assessment of his UEFA B.  He runs his own successful goalkeeping football academy.

Meanwhile, players do not have too long to register their interest to attend open trials for the first team ahead of the inaugural Kent Invicta League campaign.

The trial will be held on Tuesday, 14 June at 19:00, the location of the trials will be confirmed on registering your details.

In order to participate in this trial you must register with the club secretary by 23:00 on Monday 13 June.

You will need to register your full name, position and previous clubs, by emailing the club secretary Simon Kidby at simonkidby@googlemail.com  or by text 07590 258 325.

The club confirmed that it will be competing in the FA Vase this coming season.

Elsewhere, Raymond Simpson, the chief executive of Lewisham Borough (Community), is doing his utmost to ensure his club are included in the Kent Invicta League next season, despite not being one of the sixteen clubs invited to join the new Step Six League.

He said: “In a last ditch attempt to join the Kent Invicta League for 2011-12, Lewisham’s Appeal will be heard at FA headquarters on Thursday 16 June 2011.  Messages of support are welcomed.”

Visit Erith & Dartford Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/erithanddartfordtownfc

Visit Lewisham Borough’s website: www.lewishamboroughfc.com