Kentish Football 
It's time to start repaying the chairman on the pitch, says Whitstable Town boss Justin Luchford
Tuesday 17th January 2012
WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Justin Luchford has brought in new faces as he aims to climb away from the relegation zone.The Oystermen are in the bottom four in the Ryman League Division One South table, having clinched six wins and two draws from their 26 games and languish just five points clear of the drop zone.
They have lost their last four league games to Maidstone United (0-4), Folkestone Invicta (0-1), Walton & Hersham (0-5) and were defeated 4-2 at home to Kent rivals Hythe Town in their last game.
“Over the past week, Richard (Langley, my assistant) and I have been working around the clock to bring some much needed faces into the squad,” Luchford told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.
“It is important that we don’t sign short-term fixes and we sign players that will hopefully be at Whitstable for a long time to come to get some continuity within the squad.”
Last week, Luchford added four players to his squad.
Former Cray Wanderers goalkeeper, Dave King, 34, has joined the club following a spell with crisis-club Croydon Athletic.
Luchford said: “We signed Dave King last Thursday as Jack (Smelt) is struggling with a groin injury and we felt it was unfair to chuck Nick Shaw straight in, bearing in mind our recent set of results and problems on the pitch so we went for some experience.
“Dave has recently been with Croydon Athletic, but last season he played for Cray Wanderers in the Ryman Premier and I watched a number of their games and he was excellent.
“He is 34 and will give us that experience at the back, which is needed at the moment.
“He is a big lad, not played for a bit, and by his own admission, needs to sort his kicking out, but that will come with games!”
Striker, James Pinnock, meanwhile, has signed for Whitstable, following his release from league rivals Maidstone United.
“James has been around a long time and has a great pedigree amongst the non-league clubs,” said Luchford.
“His work rate is fantastic and is a real football player who is very good with his feet.
“He will be able to get players to join in to the game and his movement is excellent.
“I believe it’s a great signing for us, as there were a number of clubs chasing him. But we spoke at length, he can see what we are trying to do and wants to be part of a new challenge. It’s great to have him here.”
Whitstable have also defeated Saturday’s opponents, Sittingbourne, to sign Laurence Harvey, 20, who has recently been turning out for Ashford United in the Kent Invicta League.
Luchford said: “Laurence has played for Sittingbourne and last season was plying his trade with Maidstone in the Ryman Premier.
“Laurence is a young lad with a fantastic attitude and wants to succeed. He is a centre back and played for Hythe at the beginning of the season but then went on holiday for his Dad’s 50th and has struggled to get back in since.
“He was due to go back to Sittingbourne but I intercepted the deal at the last minute and managed to persuade him to join us here at the Belmont.
“He is also excided by the challenge and wants to make this his last move for many seasons to come.
“Laurence currently has a slight knee problem, nothing major, and could come into contention this Saturday.”
Luchford has also added central midfielder, Dale Skelton, from his former club, Faversham Town.
He said: “Dale is a centre midfielder with a great work ethic and an eye for goal. Dale will provide a little bit of Ryman experience in there.
“He is a good footballer and so that now adds to a midfield/attacking midfield department which can all play the game and are comfortable with the ball.
“That will only help us progress and also help the young lads develop and also gain confidence with the players around them.”
Luchford, whose last job was managing Ryman Premier League strugglers Horsham YMCA, added, “Finally, Richard and I think we are pretty much done on the squad front. We are happy with what we have, although we would be happier if all were available!
“I don’t think I will add anymore, unless either the players that are here prove me wrong, or an exceptional player becomes available that will improve us.
“That is the key now, only players that can improve this club will be looked at. Whether they are young ones we can bring in to develop or ones that are experienced and can improve the team.
“But we have to look long term. I want to be in a position in the summer where I don’t have to add too many and we can be in a totally different position next year.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s trip to Sittingbourne, Luchford said: “I feel that we are now ready to turn the corner and get results to start to push this club forward.
“The chairman and the board have been fantastic in their support and it’s now time we started repaying them on the pitch.”
Article courtesy of www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk
Sittingbourne v Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21st January 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd