Kentish Football 
Paul Foley beats the deadline to bring Rob Denness back to Chatham Town
Thursday 31st March 2011
CHATHAM TOWN boss Paul Foley has unveiled a transfer deadline day signing of striker Rob Denness, who returns to the club for the last six games of the season as the Medway club look to fight their way out of the relegation zone.
Denness has been playing for Lordswood and Hollands & Blair this season, but has finally agreed to return to his home-town club once again to help the cause.
In addition to Denness’s valued signature, powerful and pacy reserve team forward Gareth Witter has signed Ryman forms and reserve team playmaker and captain Matt Rowe has also signed forms before the deadline at five o’clock this afternoon.
With recent signing Alfie Harris to go with top scorer Billy Shinners the attacking options look much stronger with the addition of Denness and Witter to the ranks.
Denness is no stranger to the Chats and was a popular player before leaving the club to train with Sittingbourne before eventually signing for Lordswood where he has been among the goals this season.
He also turned out for Hollands & Blair before playing for the reserves on Tuesday night and agreeing to sign Ryman forms in time for the transfer deadline.
Foley told www.chathamtownfc.net : “Rob will tell you himself that I have asked him quite a few times to come back ‘home’!
“We spoke at the start of the season and at various times during the season as he would have been ideal for us all season.
“At one stage I did joke to Rob that I was borderline stalking him, we had spoken so much on the phone!
“Rob wanted to have a go elsewhere initially and then his new teaching job was a big commitment for him that affected the time he had available for his football.
“That is all in the past now though and I am just pleased to have him on board for the last 6 games as we embark on what will be six very important games for the club.
“With Billy, Alfie, Rob and not forgetting also Uche we are finally getting near to a set of strikers that we have needed all year for this league. Let’s hope it is not too little too late. These players are being specifically signed for certain games coming up where we must get some points on board.”
Speaking about Witter’s arrival at Maidstone Road, Foley, the former VCD Athletic boss, added, “Gareth is another option attacking-wise as he is a real handful and although only young, he has the physical attributes to be an absolute menace to defenders.
“I have seen him three times this season and each time he has frightened the life out of the opposition. He frightens me! He has a slight ankle strain at the minute but will be with us next week at training.
“Matt (Rowe) is a good footballer who has been unfortunate in the sense that we have plenty of central midfielders but he has been one of the key players in the reserves this season so it made sense to get him done on a form before the deadline.’
Other player news from the first team is the welcome return of Anthony Hogg who is training with the squad tonight and available for Saturday’s game at home to Horsham YMCA.
James Tedder returns from Australia this week but it is unlikely that he will be back in time for the game. Uche Ibemere is undergoing daily rehabilitation work on his slight strain with assistance and guidance from Club Physio Phil Jeffs and body conditioning coach Lee Cole.
Jason Dolby is still carrying a slight thigh strain and Mike Azzopardi is still suffering from a cracked rib.
Chatham Town slipped into the Ryman League Division One South relegation zone for the first time this season in midweek, courtesy of Corinthian-Casuals’ 2-0 home win over Chipstead, and welcome a Horsham YMCA side that remain rooted to the foot of the table and are destined to return to the Sussex County League at the end of the season.
Article courtesy of Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net
Chatham Town v Horsham YMCA
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 2nd April 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd