Soccer Shorts: Tom Bonner returns to Dartford

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ASHFORD UNITED have confirmed that player-coach Paul Booth, 39, is staying at the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club.

“I’m very pleased to be staying at Ashford United and being a part of team Lye again,” striker Booth told www.ashfordunitedfc.com.

“I enjoyed my first season at the club, having good lads around you makes it more enjoyable and at my age that is very important.

“Personally being 40 in January I know I can’t play every week and to be honest the home games are tough on that big pitch but I’ll always be available for selection and eager to play like any other season as I still have hunger for the game.”

CROYDON defender Cedric Abraham has been picked for the Dominica squad for their Caribbean Cup ties against Guadeloupe (4 June) and Martinique three days later.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has confirmed central defender Tom Bonner will return to the club once his contract at National League South rivals Ebbsfleet United expires.

“I am delighted to have Tom back on board for next season,” Burman told www.dartfordfc.com.

“He will be an excellent addition to the squad and he has now gained a lot more experience from his time at Cambridge United, Dover and Ebbsfleet since leaving us three seasons ago.

“Tom is a good defender and has the hunger to succeed and I have no doubt that Tom will help the club achieve their targets over the next couple of seasons.

“I have also been having discussions with other players over the last month which have all been positive and we hope to have more additions to the squad before we report back for pre-season training.”

DULWICH HAMLET manager Gavin Rose has unveiled the signings of central defender Michael Chambers (Welling United), full-back Nathan Green (Margate), controversial midfielder Ibrahim Kargbo (Welling United), midfielder Alfred Mugabo (Enfield Town) and winger/turned right-back Sanchez Ming (Staines Town).

Meanwhile, highly-rated central defender Ethan Pinnock could be on his way from Champion Hill.

A club statement said: “Ethan Pinnock has been subject to a number of suitors this season from professional football and is now on the verge of an opportunity to progress into the full-time game, with four clubs showing serious interest in him.

“In  the event of Ethan being unfortunate in not gaining a contract, he will remain with the club to further continue his development.

“Rhys Murrell-Williamson has also attracted interest from suitors in full-time football and has decided to go on trials in the summer in order to train a contract. Rhys still remains contracted to the club.”

The Ryman Premier League club confirm Ashley Carew, Nyren Clunis and Roman Michael-Percil are retained on contract.

EBBSFLEET UNITED midfielder Sam Deering has signed a permanent contract to stay at the club next season.

The former Oxford Untied and Cheltenham Town winger joined on a short-term agreement from their National League South rivals Whitehawk in March.

Meanwhile, the club have agreed to announce some further departures prior to their 30 June contract termination date with eight players due to be released.

Tom Bonner (Dartford), Brandon Hall, Lloyd Harrington, Joe Howe, Kelvin Langmead, Theo Lewis, Aiden Palmer and Robbie Wilmott have been shown the door.

GREENWICH BOROUGH have confirmed that ever-present central defender and captain Danny Young has put pen to paper to stay at the newly-promoted Ryman League Division One South club next season.

MAIDSTONE UNITED has made former Welling United central defender Kevin Lokko, 20, his second summer signing.

Meanwhile, the club have said that they will be upgrading their 3G pitch this summer.

The original plan had been to replace it next year. However, following promotion to the National League and the strict requirements for the very highest quality of 3G synthetic turf, the club’s directors have had to move swiftly to commission a state-of-the-art pitch in time for the new season.

The works will start next Monday and are due to be finished by mid-July.

Chief executive Bill Williams told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk “We regret the disruption to normal activities including pitch hire and academy use, but the replacement is vital for our first season in the National League and this has to take precedence.

“Our current pitch, with all the use it was getting, was starting to show its age.  We wanted to satisfy the league and make sure we had a top quality pitch in place for the foreseeable future.

“We’re sorry to those friends and clients who will have to move their matches and training sessions. We will try and help, where possible, in finding them alternative venues and look to give them priority use of the new pitch.

“Financing the pitch will stretch our resources even more but we felt it was essential for us to bite the bullet now. I can guarantee our players, supporters and customers will really notice the difference in quality.”

Meanwhile, former Stones defender Steven Watt has announced he has left Ryman Premier League club Leatherhead, where he was player coach.

The 31-year-old Scottish defender, who resides in Maidstone, Tweeted: “Sadly I have decided to leave Leatherhead. I enjoyed my time at the club and was glad to help them maintain their Ryman Premier status.

“Was a pleasure working with Mike Sandmann and wish every success to Mike and the club.  Hope to work with Mike again in the future.

“Would also like to thank all the players and people behind the scenes for their efforts last season. Some great people at that club.”

MARGATE manager Nikki Bull has appointed former Welling United coach Paul Barnes as first team coach.

“Paul was recommended to me by several people and upon meeting him within five minutes I knew I had found the right man,” Bull told www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“Paul is an excellent coach who will implement and put into practice the style of play I want my team to demonstrate this season.”

Also returning to Hartsdown Park is goalkeeper coach Stacey Beckham, who joined the club last December from Welling United.

“Stacey is someone that I have forged a positive working relationship with,” said Bull.

“Even though his official title is goalkeeper coach he brings so much more than that.  I trust Stacey and that is vital in this line of business and his hard work over the last few weeks in helping me recruit players has been so valuable to Margate Football Club.”