Kent managers in Conference strengthen their squads

EBBSFLEET UNITED have welcomed back defender Ross Smith for his third spell at Stonebridge Road.

Smith, 31, was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada to British parents and came to the UK to launch his football career with Scottish club Montrose. He moved to Margate and first joined the Fleet in 2006 making 87 appearances and scoring six goals.

He moved on to Dagenham & Redbridge before returning to North America and has played for Rochester Rhinos, Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers. He also had a second spell at Stonebridge Road, playing seven games, midway through the 2009-10 season.

Fleet manager Liam Daish told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “He has been training with us for a while. Now his international clearance has come through we have signed Ross and he will bring depth to our squad which has been stretched since the departure of Ian Simpemba and Jamie Darvill.”

Meanwhile, Daish invites you to a Black Tie Gentlemen’s Sports Dinner.

The evening with football legend and friend of Daish, European Cup winner Kenny Burns, will take place at the Best Western Manor Hotel in Gravesend on Friday February 10 – 19.00 for 19.30pm.

Ex-Nottingham Forest and Birmingham player and Scotland international Burns is the special guest of Daish, who is himself a Republic of Ireland international. There will also be a guest comedian as well as a raffle and various auctions.

Guests will also enjoy a four-course dinner with coffee. Tables of 10 or 12 are available on a strictly first come, first served basis. Tables can be purchased at a rate of £450.00 to £540.00, or individual places at £45.00.

For further details please contact 01474 533796 or alternatively email ebbsfleetevents@eufc.co.uk.

BROMLEY have today confirmed the signing of forward Anthony Thomas and winger Albert Jarrett ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Weston-super-Mare.

Mark Goldberg continues his January shopping spree as he looks to end their miserable run of sixteen games without a win.
 
Thomas, 29, began his career with Hemel Hempstead Town, scoring an impressive 78 goals in 80 appearances during his two seasons at the club, before moving to League Two side Barnet, where he made twenty six appearances during his one-year stay at Underhill, scoring four times, the first of which came against Dagenham & Redbridge.

After a loan spell at Cambridge City, a move to Stevenage Borough followed, but after making eleven appearances for Borough, the forward re-joined Hemel Hempstead Town.

A move to Farnborough followed a season later, where the forward scored fifteen times in forty five appearances during two seasons with the club, while also having loan spells at Hendon, Brackley Town and Maidenhead United.

The forward joined Maidenhead at the start of the season, and featured in both of United’s F.A. Cup First Round ties with League Two side Aldershot, scoring in the first tie to earn the Magpies a replay.

Jarrett, meanwhile, was born in Sierra Leone and began his career as a schoolboy with Arsenal before joining Dulwich Hamlet’s academy.

The winger was then spotted by Wimbledon, where he made nine first team appearances before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored his first professional goal against Crewe Alexandra.

Loan spells at Stevenage Borough and Swindon Town followed before a permanent move to Watford, which also involved two loan spells, this time at Boston United and Milton Keynes Dons.

A year at Gillingham followed before Jarrett enjoyed the best season of his career at Barnet, where he made forty-five appearances during the 2009/10 season, scoring twice.

A move to Lincoln City followed before a loan spell at Aldershot Town, and the winger began this season at Ryman Premier Division side Lewes.

Jarrett has also earned six caps for the Sierra Leone national side, the last of which came in September 2010 in a 1-1 draw with Egypt.

The club can also conform that Antonio German has signed a development contract for League One side Brentford, keeping him at Griffin Park until the end of the 2012/13 season.

German came through the ranks at Queens Park Rangers to make his first team debut against Plymouth Argyle in 2009, scoring his first senior goal against Doncaster Rovers.

He has had previous spells with Aldershot Town, Southend United and Yeovil Town and started this season at Blue Square Bet Premier side Stockport County.

However, his stay at Hayes Lane was very short, making just two starts for the struggling Kent club, who are second-from-bottom in Blue Square Bet South.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has confirmed defender Connor Essam will continue his loan spell with the club, following discussions with his friend Andy Hessenthaler.

Essam, whose loan was extended for a second month recently, will remain with the Darts and will not be recalled by Gillingham at this time.

DOVER ATHLETIC  are pleased to announce that Sean Raggett has signed a two-year contract with the club.

This is a milestone for the club as Sean is the first player to graduate from the club's Academy to the first-team squad.

The central defender turned 18 years old this week, allowing him to sign a full first-team contract.

Chairman Jim Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com: "It's great to see the Academy policy bearing fruit and we're very pleased to have Sean on board.

"We have a lot of talent currently in the Academy and I'm sure that Sean will be the first of several players making the step up to first team football."

First-team manager Nicky Forster has observed the youngster alongside senior players in first-team training and on two Kent Senior Cup appearances this season.

Forster told www.doverathletic.com: "We're delighted that Sean has committed his future to the club. He's an exciting prospect who we feel has a very bright future in the game.

"Sean's signing, along with England call-ups for Tom Axford and Lloyd Harrington, shows that the Academy system and club development programme is in a very healthy state."

The Academy side is led by Michael Sandmann from their base at the Abbey School in Faversham. He believes Sean has the attributes to go further with the club.

Sandmann said: "Since joining the Academy Sean has worked extremely hard in training every day improving his game. He is always keen to learn and develop himself into a better player. Sean's aerial presence and desire to defend has stood out in his performances for the Academy.

"Sean will be the first Academy player to be handed a first team contract and now his hard work begins to become a first team regular. I hope we can continue to promote more players through the Academy and keep the club moving forward.

"I am so pleased for Sean and believe he has a really bright future with the club."

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he has turned down an approach from an unnamed League One club for striker Frannie Collin.

The 23-year-old scored four times during the Angels’ 5-1 home win over Eastbourne Borough last weekend, taking his goalscoring tally to 20 goals.

Meanwhile, the club are delighted to welcome back Simon Balsdon who re-joins the coaching team following illness, having already been a youth, reserve and first team coach, as well as being a former director of the club.

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day has today unveiled the signing of former Tonbridge Angels midfielder – and fans’ favourite - Scott Kinch.

Kinch, who heroically helped the Angels secure promotion from the Ryman Premier League, playing in the 4-3 play-off final win over Lowestoft Town with a broken wrist, is available for selection against Chelmsford City at Park View Road tomorrow.

Cray Wanderers boss, Ian Jenkins, was interested in bringing the combative midfielder back to Hayes Lane, but Kinch decided to remain in Conference South.

Articles courtesy of:
www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk  
www.bromleyfc.net  
www.dartfordfconline.com  
www.doverathletic.com  
www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk
www.wellingunited.com