Soccer Shorts: Welling United hit with a £4,000 fine after collecting 13 red cards

APM CONTRAST have promoted their captain Michael Dodsworth to the role of reserve team assistant manager.

ASHFORD UNITED have revealed that they are on the verge of signing a 23-year-old international star on loan.

A club statement on www.ashfordunitedfc.com said: “We cannot name at this time until the full international clearance has become available in order for the player to join the ever strengthening squad being assembled for the onslaught on winning the Southern Counties East title and Ashford United moving on to the Ryman League.”

Ashford owner Don Crosbie added: “We have signed Paul Booth at the age of 38, both as a prolific goalscorer, who is intent on a training career within football once he eventually hangs up his boots and other proven Ryman and above experienced players such as Craig Thompson, Danny Lye and Michael Yianni.

“Don’t forget that we have also put on contract for the season both Stuart Zanone and one of the best up and coming keepers who has trialled for England under 19s, Joe Mant.”

Paul Chambers side are set to train on the club’s new 3G pitch at least twice a week in order to maintain both fitness levels and also to improve set-piece play.

The schedule of works is on track for the ground to be ready for the start of the forthcoming league programme.

BECKENHAM TOWN groundsman Ian Muir has been placed in the top six for groundsman at steps five and six in this year’s National Groundsman of the Year Awards.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at St Georges Park on Wednesday 12 August.

Club secretary Peter Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk: “It’s great for Ian and the club and great for the Southern Counties East Football League that one of their member clubs has what could well turn out to be nationally one of the best pitches.”

Mr Muir added: “The first game played on the pitch last season was Millwall Lionesses and Doncaster Belles in June. This meant that the pitch was played on continuously for almost eleven months!

“Taking that into consideration, I’m pleased with how things are going. We have increased our pitch budget this year and I’m confident that the pitch will be ready for the Maidstone United game on the 18^th July and by the time the new season starts in August, it should be between 30 and 40 percent better than it is at present.”

CANTERBURY CITY have announced the appointment of Martyn Sexton as the club’s new general secretary.

“Martyn has many years’ experience of administration within Kent football and will be responsible for all aspects of the clubs administration.

“The board would like to formally welcome Martyn to the club at this very exciting time as we move ever closer to our coming home,” said a club statement on www.canterburycityfc.com.

CRAY WANDERERS manager Tony Russell has revealed that summer signing Lea Dawson will be the club’s captain.  Russell left Ryman Premier League side VCD Athletic to manage the Ryman League Division One North again with the Hayes Lane outfit.

When asked about summer transfer news, Russell replied: “Just doing the last couple then I will send the squad list over.”

The Wands are training at Glebe’s new Foxbury Avenue ground in Chislehurst.

DOVER ATHLETIC have continued with their Fiver Frenzy campaign, with all supporters able to take in their three home pre-season games for a £5 note per game.

ERITH & BELVEDERE boss Matt Longhurst has unveiled the signing of former Corinthian and Chatham Town central midfielder Jamie Taylor.

“Really looking forward to linking up with Matt again,” Taylor told the club’s website.

“I really enjoyed my time at Corinthian under his management and after coming and seeing the ground, the pitch and knowing lots of the boys, it was an easy decision to help the team improve on last year, that I’m looking forward too.

Longhurst told www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk: “JT was a big part of the success at Corinthian and I tried to bring him in last year but he opted to play Ryman League football, so I’m pleased after a year away he’s joined up with me again and I’m looking forward to seeing him in an Erith & Belvedere shirt.”

FISHER are staging their Annual General Meeting in the community room at the Bacon’s College Sports Centre on Sunday, 28 June at 13:00.

A club statement on www.fisherfc.co.uk said: “It is really important that members attend the AGM as we build towards a return home to Rotherhithe.

“We need all of our part-owners to participate in the decision-making and running of the club if we are to truly represent our community.

“People who were members in 2014-15 are able to attend and vote at the AGM.  New members for 2015-16 are welcome to attend too – just £10 gets you an equal share in the club.

“Don’t worry if you haven’t attended before, or haven’t been to a game – we are really keen that anyone interested in helping us to ensure that Fisher FC has a positive impact on our community makes their voice head.

“Please do attend and help our directors, then have your say on the club’s priorities for 2015-16 and beyond.”

GILLINGHAM Ladies have been placed in The FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One following their relegation from the top flight last season.

Their rivals will be Bedford, Cambridge United, Crystal Palace, Denham United, Enfield Town, Ipswich Town, Lowestoft Town, Luton Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Norwich City and Old Actonians.

Crystal Palace play their home games at Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground so they have one local side.

HERNE BAY manager Sam Denly has appointed Mick Santer as his new head coach. 

Denly told the club’s website: “Mick is a UEFA B licenced coach and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge.  I would like to welcome Mick to the club and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Meanwhile, Gary Tulett has been appointed the club’s new under 18 manager, following the departure of Ben Smith, who is now joint-manager at Southern Counties East Football League side Canterbury City.

A club statement added: “Gary is an experienced youth team manager and last season also assisted Anthony Deer with the highly successful Herne Bay Ladies team for whom daughter Isabella regularly found the net.”

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS have unveiled the signing of Ebbsfleet United central defender Kelvin Langmead, 30, on a season long loan.

He was signed by former boss Jamie Day in January, making a total number of fourteen appearances for the Stonebridge Road outfit – but has moved to the National League club for the entire season.

Langmead’s move – a little more of a local one for him as he still lives in Northampton – will be his second spell at Kidderminster as he enjoyed a period on loan at Aggborough back in 2004.

Meanwhile, striker Tyrone Marsh, 21, has left Vanarama National League South side Ebbsfleet Untied to sign for Kidderminster’s league rivals, Torquay United.

MARGATE have unveiled the double signing of defender Jake Goodman and striker Christian Jolley.

Centre-half Goodman, 21 signs for the Blues after his release from League One side Millwall this summer, however he spent last season on-loan at League Two AFC Wimbledon, where he featured in the Dons FA Cup Third Round tie against Premier League side Liverpool.

“We are delighted to be able to secure Jake on a two year deal. He is a mature 21 year old that has Football League experience already, Margate’s assistant manager Stuart Cash told www.margate-fc.com.

“He will add to an already talented defence. Jake was superb against Liverpool in the Cup and kept Rickie Lambert quite so everyone at Margate should be really excited by this signing.”

Striker Jolley has also signed a two year deal after being released from Vanarama National League side Grimsby Town.

The 27-year-old who has worked alongside manager Terry Brown and Cash during their time at AFC Wimbledon, as well as scoring the first goal at Wembley that won Newport County promotion to the Football League.

Jolley ended last season at Grimsby where he finished the season with one goal in eleven appearances, the goal coming in the clubs 3-1 away win at eventual Champions Barnet.

Cash said: “Christian is a massive signing for us. He was superb for us at AFC Wimbledon when we won promotion and then he went on and scored a goal at Wembley which helped Newport County get back into the Football League”.

“He will cause all sorts of problems in this division and all the Margate fans should be really excited by the squad we have put together”.

RUSTHALL have scooped £500 for winning the Kent Invicta League Fair Play Award for last season.  The Kent Invicta League fixtures will be released week commencing 20 July 2015.

WELLING UNITED have been fined £4,000 by The Football Association after picking up 89 yellow cards and 13 red cards last season.

The National League club attended a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday in regard to the unusually high number of red and yellow cards collected last season.

Operations director Barry Hobbins and current first team manager Loui Fazakerley attended the meeting at Wembley Stadium.

A club statement said: “As a result of the discussions and in respect of the improvements already shown under the new boss and the changes in playing staff this summer, the Wings were fined a total of £4,000 by the FA.”

Meanwhile, supporters are donating money towards Fazakerley’s playing budget.

Organiser, Dean Schulver of Welling United Supporters Association, said: “This money is ring fenced so is only spent on players and not any other work/events that WUSA run.

“In 2012/13 when Welling won the Blue Square South, the boost the budget scheme actually paid for Ross Lafayette and his goals played a vital part in getting the Wings promoted.

“Last season, a regular weekly payment from WUSA and contributions from supporters meant £300 was added per week to the playing budget, this means adding an extra player to the squad or possibly a player of better quality.

“While we have a boost the budget bucket at the ground on match days, a regular direct debit or commitment of funds in pre-season towards the scheme is preferred as Loui Fazakerley will know exactly how much money he can use from this scheme when trying to sign players and believe me, that extra £20 a week could prove the difference between getting a player or not!”

The Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy Draw:

FIRST ROUND:
Meridian VP  v  Sutton Athletic
Bearsted  v  Kent Football United
Rusthall  v  Lydd Town
Seven Acre & Sidcup  v  Lewisham Borough

SECOND ROUND:
Bridon Ropes  v  FC Elmstead
Gravesham Borough  v  Sheppey United
AC London  v  Rusthall or Lydd Town
Crockenhill  v  Glebe
Forest Hill Park  v  Meridian VP or Sutton Athletic
APM Contrast  v  Seven Acre & Sidcup or Lewisham Borough
Eltham Palace  v  Bearsted or Kent Football United
Orpington  v  Phoenix Sports Reserves