Soccer Shorts: VCD Athletic boss Keith McMahon signs former Arsenal startlet

AFC CROYDON Athletic have appointed a new management team to take charge of their under 18 squad ahead of next season’s Southern Youth League campaign.

Deano Ennor, who managed Warlingham’s under 18’s last season, joins as manager. 

Warlingham were runners-up in their division land they won the Southern Youth League Invitation Plate in a Final that was played at Mayfield Stadium.

He is joined on his coaching team by Paul Doherty and Mark Wilson and with the new Academy also starting up this coming season they will be working closely together with the club’s managers.

A club statement said: “AFC Croydon Athletic would like to extend our thanks to Trevor Smith and Daniel Woollard for all their hard work last season. Our good wishes go to them both for the future.”

BROMLEY chairman Jerry Dolke was proud that former player Garath McCleary played for Jamaica against Argentina in the Copa America last weekend.

McCleary, 28, played against icon Lionel Messi, who was making his 100^th cap for his country in the game that Jamaica lost 1-0.

The winger, who now plays for Championship outfit Reading, played Ryman Premier and Conference South football for the Ravens back in 2007.

The chairman said: “I’m proud Garath has done so well since moving on from Bromley FC.

“He always was a polished young man, who now has developed into a class act and international footballer.”

CHELMSFORD CITY have unveiled the re-signing of former Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Maidstone United striker Billy Bricknell, 26, who originally signed for the Essex club for an undisclosed transfer fee from Billericay Town in 2010.  He made 29 appearances, scoring 7 goals in his one season at the club.

CONCORD RANGERS have re-signed former Maidstone United midfielder Ben Greenhalgh, 26.

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC boss Sean Muggeridge has revealed that Jonathan Trotter (work commitments in Leeds), Bayley Colbran (joining Maidstone United’s Academy) and Tom Cameron (university) have left the Southern Counties East Football League club this summer.

DOVER ATHLETIC are on the lookout for a new head physio to work with the club’s first team.

Following the departure of Physio Paul Wilson last month, for a full-time job at Crawley Town, the position of lead physiotherapist has become available.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified physiotherapist/sports therapist to work at Dover Athletic Football Club, presently playing in the Vanarama National League.

The successful applicant will work with coaching staff and medical team in providing assessment, treatment, management and rehabilitation to the players in all club squads, with main focus on the first team.

This part-time role requires a person who can work independently and is comfortable in prescribing rehabilitation programs, and possesses excellent assessment skills that can be applied to players in the pressured environment of a match.

This role will require a flexible approach to working hours and involves evening and weekend working.

Essential:

• Be available to cover mid-week evening training sessions.
• Be available for all match days (Saturday afternoon and Tuesday evening)
• UK Driving license.
• Successfully provide diagnosis and oversee treatment and rehabilitation.
• Chartered Physiotherapist or Equivalent, Registered Member of the Health Professionals Council or Certified and Passed FA Diploma Course.

Desirable:

• Trauma qualification.
• Knowledge and/or previous experience of working in football.

How to apply:

Please send a CV with covering letter to chairman, Jim Parmenter at: jim.parmenter@doverathletic.com.

DULWICH HAMLET’S innovative Pay Your Age season ticket for youngsters has proved a rip-roaring success and will be extended next season.

For a new season ticket at the Ryman Premier League club, a 12-year-old will only pay £12, a 13-year-old just has to shell out £13 and so on.

EBBSFLEET UNITED have concluded their fourth summer signing with the capture of former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Jonathan Miles, 22.

The Essex-born keeper was part of the Spurts youth set-up from the age of nine and graduated to a professional deal in the 2012-13 season via accomplished performances in the Premier League club’s under 18 side.

He earned new deals at White Hart Lane three seasons running while also playing in the Football League during a loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Miles is no stranger to the Vanarama National League South, having turned out for Brighton-based Whitehawk on loan during the 2013-14 season.

The 6ft 2in goalkeeper has also played for Tottenham’s under 21 side and for Ryman League outfit Brentwood Town on loan.

FC ELMSTEAD manager Danny Wakeling has appointed Tyrone Reid to his management team.

The club will be playing Kent Invicta League football next season, playing their home first team games at Holmesdale’s Oakley Road ground in Bromley.

Wakeling, no relation to former Bromley boss George Wakeling, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome coach Tyrone Reid, who has today been appointed to our management team.

“He will head up our second team, liaise with me on a regular basis on a wide range of football matters and be pivotal in maintaining the pathway of under 21/youth through to the first team.

“Tyrone is a full-time coach based at Orpington Priory Academy in association with Charlton Athletic Community.

“He is an UEFA B licenced coach and currently on his UEFA A.  He is keen to develop young players and shares the vision of the club.

“We look forward to a prosperous future working together as part of a vibrant management structure on behalf of the club.”

GLEBE have unveiled the signing of former Dartford and Rochester United player James Alderman.

HERNE BAY manager Sam Denly has appointed Anthony Sands as the club’s new manager of their under 21 team.

The UEFA B licenced coach replaces Allan Birchard who stepped down after two highly successful seasons in charge.

Sands, the former manager of New Romney, will take charge of the under 21 side that will be competing in the Ryman Under 21 League next season.

Denly told the club’s website: “We are looking to continue the good work we have done in generating local talented players at Herne Bay Football Club, making the transition from youth to under 21 then into first team football.

“I would like to welcome Anthony to the club and look forward to the successful times ahead.”

HOLMESDALE are seeking players for their expanding youth section.  The Bromley based club are fielding six youth teams next season and begin the search for players for their under 10s and under 14 teams.

The under 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s and 14s will compete in the Tandridge League and will play their home games at Charles Darwin School, while the under 15s will compete in the Kent Youth League and will play their fixtures at Oakley Road.

MARGATE have unveiled the arrival of former Aldershot Town defender Glenn Wilson, 29.

He can play right-back or centre half and will add further experience to Margate’s back four ahead of their return to the Vanarama National League South.

Wilson played 48 times for the Shots last season and was captain in their Hampshire derby against Portsmouth in The FA Cup First Round.

Assistant manager Stuart Cash, meanwhile, spoke of his delight that experienced goalkeeper Nikki Bull, 33, has agreed to remain at Hartsdown Park next season.

Bull played a vital role as the Blues won promotion and has penned a new one year deal to stay on the Kent coast.

Bull who joined the club in February 2013 played a key role as the club won promotion through the play-offs and Cash thinks the keeper is the best in non-league football.

Cash told www.margate-fc.co.uk: “I genuinely believe he is the best goalkeeper at this level. Nikki has a business outside of football which suits him playing part-time otherwise he is a League keeper all day long”.

“We are very lucky to have Nikki on board again as he was crucial to us last season. He had offers to re-join league sides but he is enjoying his football at Margate and wants to be part of this project”.

Cash also revealed that David Hunt, 32, has arrived from Maidenhead United.

Hunt can play in defence or midfield and will add more experience having played in the Football League over 400 times.

Hunt played in the Conference South last season at Maidenhead United, having started his career at Crystal Palace before joining Leyton Orient, playing over 70 times.

Hunt has also played for Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town, Brentford, Crawley Town, Oxford United and Barnet.

Cash said: “David is a winner and will give us even more experience. We have signed him as a centre midfielder but he is versatile so he can also play at right-back.

“He finished at Maidenhead last season after being released from Barnet but his attitude and the way he plays the game will offer us so much more.

“Our players will look up to David and admire him for what he has done in the game so far.  To play over 400 times in the Football League is an incredible achievement and now he wants to join Margate and be part of this project.”

OTFORD UNITED have welcomed their switch back to the NRG Gym Kent County League Division One West Division next season.

Manager Jim Gillan has previously voiced his concern that playing in the East Division proved an issue attracting players to the club due to the extra time in travelling to away games.

A club statement said: “Otford United have finally been put into the West Division One (thank God) so that is great news.”

The club will hold their Annual General Meeting inside their clubhouse at Otford Recreation Ground on Monday 6 July at 19:30.

“If you would like to bring anything up please come along.  If you can’t make it please leave a comment (on the club’s Facebook page) and it will be brought up for you.

“Remember this is your chance to have your say about how the club is run so use this opportunity.”

SITTINGBOURNE have made some ground improvements to their ground at Woodstock Park.

The mini stand has been moved from behind the goal and placed to the side of the pitch. The new Alan Barty standing stand is now on the left behind the goal on the opposite side behind the goal where the mini stand was. Seats are being added to the mini stand.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Steve McKimm has unveiled the signing of former Ebbsfleet United and Margate central midfielder Tom Phipp, 22.

McKimm told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “I’m delighted Tom has agreed to play for us. He brings experience, increases our options at the very heart of the team and shows the intent of the club to progress into the right direction.”

VCD ATHLETIC manager Keith McMahon has unveiled the signing of former Arsenal starlet, centre forward Nigel Neita, 21, from their Ryman Premier League rivals, Metropolitan Police.