Soccer Shorts: Billy Bricknell quits Maidstone United as travelling takes its toll

CHATHAM TOWN manager Kevin Watson says he has been extremely busy ahead of the club’s return to the Ryman League Division One South.

 

Watson told www.chathamtownfc.info: “As always the off season is an extremely busy period in retaining and recruiting playing personnel.

“I am pleased to confirm that Liam Hickey, Lewis Knight, Joe Bingham, George Humber, Kieran McCann, Connor French, Joe Loft, Lawrence Collins and Corey Holder have agreed terms for the forthcoming season.

“Austin Edwards and Ryan Nicholls will return to pre-season first team players following their successful integration from the u21 team last season.

“Following their injuries last season, Matt Solly and Jack Bradshaw continue on the road to recovery and will join the squad for training in due course.

“Discussions continue with a number of new exciting prospects that will strengthen the squad.”

CRAY WANDERERS will once again be playing in the Ryman League Division One North next season after losing their appeal to switch over to the South Division.

“We had hoped to be relocated to the Ryman South following various permutations elsewhere in the non-league pyramid but on this occasion there were no circumstances where we could be moved,” said a club statement.

DULWICH HAMLET have confirmed that former Millwall and Welling United striker Charlie Penny, 20, has signed for the Ryman Premier League club.

Manager Gavin Rose, who guided the club to a fourth-place finish last season, before losing a high-quality play-off semi-final 2-1 at Margate, has confirmed that fans’ favourite Ashley Carew, 29, has signed a new contract to stay at Champion Hill.

EBBSFLEET UNITED’S redevelopment of the Stonebridge Road stand has been delayed by conditions attached to the planning consent, in particular the archaeological conditions.

FISHER manager Dean Harrison is looking for a first team coach to join his management team. With current post-holder Tom Rolt having to take a step back, following a promotion in his full-time coaching role with Millwall’s community scheme, Harrison is seeking a UEFA B qualified coach to support first team training and match-days.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA officials have praised the efforts of all the unsung heroes who work for the Ryman League Division One South club in their various ways without thought of reward and too often without even a word of thanks.

Chairman Jim Pellatt told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “Majority of people running the club are unpaid volunteers – and that sometimes extends even to the football side.

“A prime example are those two unsung heroes, head physio Dave Williams and his assistant Abi Winstanley who rarely even get a mention.

“Those two do a wonderful job and are every bit as professional as fully employed physios, except they do it for nothing but the love of the club.

Manager Neil Cugley, who is preparing for his NINETEENTH season in charge of the club, added: “We often tend to take Willo and Abi for granted, but this club couldn’t function properly without them. They don’t get a penny but they’re worth their weight in gold!”

Williams has worked with Cugley at Ashford Town and Folkestone Invicta for the best part of 30 years now and ex-Army girl Winstanley is now in her third season at Cheriton Road.

HYTHE TOWN manager Tim Dixon will answer questions from the club’s supporters in the clubhouse at Reachfields Stadium on Friday night.

MAIDSTONE UNITED boss Jay Saunders has unveiled the signing of former Welling United midfielder Joe Healy.

The 28-year old spent four seasons at Park View Road, but has put pen to paper to sign for the Vanarama National League South club.

Healy made 202 appearances and scored 35 goals for the Wings. He played an important role in the club’s promotion to the top flight of non-league football.

Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “Joe’s got the experience that a club needs when it moves up a level. He’s a player we’ve kept tabs on and I am delighted he’s chosen to join us. He’ll be a good influence in the middle and a few goals like the one against Grimsby wouldn’t go amiss!”

The club has confirmed that striker Billy Bricknell, 26, has had his contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

The former Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United striker joined Maidstone United in January 2015 but has found the commute from his home in Essex or from work in north London challenging and is hoping to link up with a club closer to home.

Bricknell told the club’s website: “I appreciate the time I had at Maidstone and thank the fans, Jay and Terry (Casey) and others for all they gave me.  It was great to be a part of the championship side and I wanted to be a part of it next season.

“But it all came down to the travelling – it was taking 10 hours a week and a few hundred miles to get from work or home to the ground and much of that was sitting in traffic. That had an impact on me and I think I need to look for something a little more local.”

Saunders added: “I respect Billy’s decision – it’s never easy to leave a club even though he was only here for a few months. In that time he chipped in with performances and goals that helped us win promotion.

“I’d have liked him to be involved next season because he’s done well at that level but it’s got to work as much for the player as it does for the club.”

Meanwhile, Saunders has snapped up former Cambridge United winger Bobby-Joe Taylor.  The 20-year-old can also play at left-back or up front. He made eight appearances for the League Two club last season.

MARGATE have unveiled the signings of Nathan Green and Maidenhead United from Dartford and Maidenhead United respectively.

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins has tied down Tom Ripley to a one-year contract.

VCD ATHLETIC secretary Chris Dudley has retired from the position after nearly 20 years being involved with the club in varying roles. He is being replaced by Dave Joy, who arrives from Thamesmead Town, just like the club’s new manager, Keith McMahon.

WELLING UNITED have appointed Calum Green as their new physio. The 23-year-old has previously been with Northampton Town and Luton Town as well as working in other areas of sport.  He has a Bachelor of Science Degree (hons) within Sports Therapy and is an accredited member of The World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy.

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Will Graham says he is currently building a competitive side for his first season in full charge of the club.

Graham was promoted from his role as coach to manager after Jim and Danny Ward quit the club after just one season before returning to manage Ramsgate.

“As we approach the start of pre-season, which is now less than two weeks away, I am really pleased with how our preparations are going as a club and how the team is starting to shape up,” Graham told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“Obviously we started with the potential of losing a dozen players to various clubs and this was looking at a real challenge to rebuild a competitive side.

“I believe that we as a club have done the right thing and now be panicked into players seeking over the odds.

“I have spoken to a lot of players, but players’ need to believe in what I deliver and what the club offer and I believe the bottom line is honesty and commitment.

“We are really starting to form a competitive side for next season and beyond with a good mixture of experience and youth. I am especially pleased with Nick Treadwell, Luke Doherty, Ollie Gray and Kane Rowland all resisting the urge to follow others.

“We welcome Sam Bewick from Hythe and the return of Danny Keyte, Ashley Ulph and Joe Kennett.

“There is still a little business to be done. Simon (Halsey) and I and the management team are working tirelessly, however, with pre-season fast approaching, potential trialists are welcomed to see if they can impress.”