Justin Luchford brings his younger brother Dane with him to Whitstable Town

NEWLY APPOINTED manager Justin Luchford has yesterday made his younger brother Dane his first signing for Whitstable Town, writes Stephen McCartney.


Attacking player Dane played for his brother whilst he was manager at Faversham Town and scored four goals in fourteen appearances for Ryman Premier League strugglers Horsham earlier in the season.

“I was delighted that on Saturday after the game Dane Luchford put pen to paper to join us at Whitstable Town,” Justin told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.  

“Dane joins us fresh from a two-week break after leaving Horsham.  Dane has played for me for the past four years and got better and better every season.

“This time, however, signing him wasn’t easy.  He had a few offers on the table and as a brother, I was very proud to see how far he has come over the years that clubs are willing to try and get his services.  He had some very good offers and so this time I had to work hard to get his signature.

“Dane is a player that would add quality to any team in the Ryman South, he also did very well in the Ryman Premier.

“In the past he has taken a lot of criticism from me personally, but he has matured immensely over the past 12 months in particular and I am delighted he is part of my plans. Those that know me or have played for me will know that he gets no special treatment from me.

“He is a player who has earned the right to be in demand. He can play up top, or wide and will also give us great set piece delivery. He is comfortable on the ball and has scored many goals over the past year. He is fit and strong and I know he can’t wait to put the red shirt on and get playing again.”

Horsham, who have by former Thamesmead Town coach Hugo Langton as their caretaker-manager, has brought in much-travelled Nicky Humphrey from Metropolitan Police, but have released former Maidstone United, Dover Athletic and Thamesmead Town midfielder Kane Rice after fifteen appearances.

Langton told www.hornetsreview.co.uk that he expects Rice to sign for a Kent club.

He said: “Unfortunately I’ve had to let Kane go, simply because his new job means he has problems committing to the cause so he will be playing for a club more local to him.”

Coach, Richard Langley, meanwhile, is looking forward to working with Luchford again at Whitstable Town after quitting Horsham.

“We’ve been friends for a long time and I have a lot of respect for what he’s trying to do and how he goes about his business,” the former Ramsgate coach told the Horsham official club website.

“If I’m honest, I think our problem at Horsham was that we didn’t know enough about Sussex football.  By contrast, I know all about the Kent scene and feel I am able to give someone like Whitstable that much more.”

Whitstable climbed up to sixteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table following their impressive 4-1 home win over Croydon Athletic at the weekend in Dave Fairclough’s last game in charge as caretaker manager.

Luchford’s first game in charge is Saturday’s trip to ninth-placed Chipstead, who are only five points clear of the Oystermen.

Quotes courtesy of www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk  & www.hornetsreview.co.uk  

Chipstead  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF