Sittingbourne ready to unveil new boss

Sittingbourne will unveil their new manager on Friday, just in time for their home game against Ryman League Division One South leaders Tooting & Mitcham United the following day, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Brickies will appoint Steve Lovell’s successor following a week of interviews, and at the last count, nineteen people applied for the job.

Lovell, who joined rivals’ Ashford Town sixteen days ago, hasn’t enjoyed the best start to his managerial career at The Homelands.

Ashford Town have lost away games at Chipstead and Croydon Athletic, before they slumped to a 4-0 home defeat to Worthing in midweek.

This week, Lovell, 47, has brought in Sean Ray (Hastings United), Paul Jones and Ryan Briggs (Folkestone Invicta), Mark Lovell (Dover Athletic), and Sittingbourne winger, Mitchell Sherwood.

Leaving Ashford, meanwhile, are Adrian Stone, Graham Porter, Barry Gardner and Joby Thorogood as the Welshman goes about rebuilding his squad.

But Sittingbourne secretary, John Pitts, has explained the current situation regarding players as speculation mounts over their futures.

“Goalkeeper Jamie Riley is still on loan to us but he wants release from his East Thurrock United contract - to go to Ashford - but East Thurrock have declined to do so,” he said on the fans’ forum at www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

“Not sure if he plays Saturday, but we have the ever reliable Steve Williams if not.

“As for Anthony Hogg is concerned, he is still a Sittingbourne player and no approach has been made for him.

“As far as the manager situation is concerned, chairman Andy Spice has been negotiating with someone.

“If that breaks down we have others who he will talk to.”

And Mr Pitts explained the situation behind the “seven day approach” - a system used by clubs to entice non-contracted players away from their clubs.

He said: “Just to clarify the notice of approach regulations, because Ashford have given us a notice of approach for Mitchell Sherwood, and of course signed him, they cannot come back with another notice of approach for another player with out club before 28 days have elapsed.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Tooting & Mitcham United
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 17^th November 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB