Soccer Shorts: Vice chairman Peter Varney signs new contract to keep him at Ebbsfleet United until June 2020

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BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer says the Southern Counties East Football League club are being hit financially by the lack of home games.

The last first team game that was played at Eden Park Avenue was on 12 December and their next game on their immaculate playing surface is not scheduled until 6 February when Crowborough Athletic visit.

Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk: “Fortunately, we have social functions which we can rely on and weather permitting pitch rental which all helps to balance the books, but as our treasurer never ceases to stop reminding me – our outgoings remain the same whatever the weather.”

BROMLEY defender turned midfielder Ben Chorley says he hasn’t ruled out snatching a play-off place at the end of the club’s debut Vanarama National League campaign.

Mark Goldberg’s side are sitting in thirteenth-place in the table with 38 points from 27 games – 10 points adrift of fifth-placed Eastleigh, who will host Leeds United in The FA Cup Fourth Round should they win their replay at Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers after drawing 1-1 on the Hampshire mud at the weekend.

Bromley are next in action on Tuesday 19 January when third-placed Grimsby Town visit Hayes Lane for the first time, before eighth-placed Tranmere Rovers visit four days later.

Former Portsmouth captain Chorley, 33, told www.bromleyfc.net.tv/site: “I think when there is healthy competition for places it’s a good thing, so when everyone is fit I think we have a real good chance of being top five.

“We’ve got a great opportunity with the position we’re in and we don’t want that to go to waste.

“The second season is always harder. The boys are working well. Believe me we are enjoying the challenge and we will keep doing our very best.”

DARTFORD pair Ben Francis and Dajon Golding spent a week training at League One side Millwall last week.

A statement from Dartford, who are now six games unbeaten in the Vanarama National League South, said: “This was a good experience for both players and great for their knowledge and progression within the game.

“Tony Burman would like to thank Millwall Football Club for providing the opportunity for both Ben and Dajon.”

Millwall, meanwhile, have sent former Maidstone United striker Alfie Pavey, 20, out on loan to Vanarama National League side Aldershot Town.  He scored on his Shots debut in their 3-1 home win over Chester at the weekend.

DEAL TOWN celebrated their biggest win for seven years when they trashed Erith Town 7-0 at the weekend.

Rene Rivera, the former Kent Schools under 18 striker, helped himself to a 25-minute hat-trick at The Charles Sports Ground on the Kent coast.

Erith Town joint-manager Joe Ford tweeted: “Well, everything that could’ve gone wrong did today. Embarrassed.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have announced that executive vice-chairman Peter Varney has agreed to extend his contract at the club until June 2020.  This also applies to his role as chief executive of KEH Sports Ltd.

Club owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk:

“Peter’s contract was due to expire at the end of the current season and we have been discussing an extension in recent weeks.

“I am very pleased with the progress the club is making on and off the pitch. With the construction of the new £5m main stand commencing coupled with the impending regeneration of the local area, it is vital we have someone with Peter’s leadership ability and strategic thinking to help us achieve our aspirations for this football club.

“I am aware he had other opportunities open to him but I know how passionate he is about our club and the relationship he has with the people who work for it and I am looking forward to working with him for this extended period.”

Mr Varney added: “I am very flattered by the confidence shown in me by Dr Abdulla and the KEH board.

“Dr Abdulla has done some fantastic things for this football club since he saved it from almost certain liquidation two and a half years ago.

“I know how committed he is to bringing success to the club and he fully deserves to do so.

“I am very lucky to work with such a committed, hard-working and supportive group of people at the club and if that counts for anything then this football club has a very bright future indeed.”

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says he wants more cup games after Christmas.

The Invicta boss scooped the Ryman League Division One South manager-of-the-month award for December and his side are sitting proudly 14 points clear of Worthing.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “We play so many games in the first two or three months of the season, but while the weather can be a problem as we know just at this moment, we’ve not got many games coming up between now and the end of February and that can be a problem.

“It would be great if we had League Cup or County Cup games coming up to give our fringe players the match-time they need in January and February.

“I’ve always thought that would be better than the hectic two-games-a-week schedule we have from mid-August to the end of November.”

MARGATE have confirmed that goalkeeper Chris Lewington has today signed a contract to stay with the club until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old signed for the club ahead of the Gosport Borough game after the appointment of Nikki Bull as first team manager.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge and Colchester United stopper, who earlier in his career turned out for Erith & Belvedere, Dulwich Hamlet, Beckenham Town, Fisher Athletic, Sittingbourne, will stay at Hartsdown Park after impressing in his first give games.

Bull told www.margate-fc.co.uk: “It is clear that in the five games that Chris has played for us how much talent Chris has. It’s obvious that he will go on to become a very important player for us moving forward.”

SHEPPEY UNITED chairman Matthew Smith thanked supporters for improving attendances in 2015 by 145%.

The Holm Park outfit currently sit in fourth-place in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League table. 

They are six points adrift of leaders Glebe, who visit Holm Park in the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Quarter-Finals on Saturday.

“With attendances growing in 2015 by 145% overall the island is getting behind this great club and the football being played here at Holm Park,” Mr Smith told www.sheppeyunitedfc.co.uk.

“I am hoping 2016 will be a historic year for our club but let’s not run before we can walk and enjoy this little bit of success as it happens.”

TONBRIDGE ANGELS’ Ladies side will be playing a friendly match against Aylesford Ladies Reserves on Sunday, 17 January.  The game will take place at Hayesbrook School, Brook Street, Tonbridge TN9 2PH with a 14:00 kick-off.

VCD ATHLETIC manager Keith McMahon says he is looking for a new assistant manager after Bradley King departed the Crayford-based club.

Vickers are second-from-bottom in the Ryman Premier League and McMahon tweeted: ”Gutted to lose my number 2 because of family and work commitments. Will be a massive loss and I thank him for everything he has done.”

WALTON & HERSHAM have confirmed that Tuesday night’s Ryman League Division One South game against Sittingbourne has been switched to Hampton & Richmond Borough’s ground, Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Off Station Road, Hampton, Middlesex., TW12 2BX.  This is due to a some floodlighting issues at their Stompond Lane ground.

WELLING UNITED have made their first signing in the January transfer window by signing midfielder Harry Lee, 20, on a permanent transfer following his loan spell from League Two side Leyton Orient.

WHITSTABLE TOWN have re-signed striker Stuart King, from Faversham Town, scoring a goal in the club’s 2-2 draw at Tooting & Mitcham United on Saturday.  King left Belmont Road to play for Herne Bay, Folkestone Invicta and Maidstone United and scored 13 goals for Faversham Town this season. The Oystermen are rooted to the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table after collecting 14 points from 30 games and are 15 points adrift of safety, taking goal-difference into account, with 16 league games remaining.