Soccer Shorts: England celebrate double World Cup success

Here are today’s Soccer Shorts articles

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE clubs have voted to change the existing format of play-offs from four clubs to six, meaning that those clubs finishing second to seventh in each of the three Leagues will contest the end of season play-offs.

The matches will now be decided on a one leg basis as opposed to two legs, with advantage of being at home to those who finish higher in the table.

In basic terms this means the format will be as follows:

Match 1: Fourth v Seventh
Match 2: Fifth v  Sixth
Match 3: Second v Winner of Match 1
Match 4: Third v Winner of Match 2

The two winners will then play in their respective Final on the terms of their designated League as current relations for those Promotion Finals.

It was confirmed that National League, National League North and National League South Fixtures will be officially released at 13:00 on Wednesday 5 July 2017.  The opening day of the season for all three divisions will be on Saturday 5 August 2017.

Meanwhile, Jim Parmenter (Dover Athletic) and Oliver Ash (Maidstone United) are among eight chairmen to join the National League Board.

CRAY VALLEY manager James Collins has retained the services of winger Denzel Gayle and striker Ben Francis.

CROCKENHILL were the first Kent club to report back for pre-season training ahead of the 2017-18 football season when manager Christopher Sundborg’s side trained at Hall Place yesterday, looking to improve on their second-from-bottom finish in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division last time out. 

Sundborg said: “A great turnout on Saturday but we are still on the lookout for players in all positions.  Really looking to push on this season.”

DULWICH HAMLET have unveiled the signings of two defenders in the shape of Anthony Acheampong, 26 and Ricky Hayles, from Maidstone United and East Thurrock United respectively.  Boss Gavin Rose has released central defender Matt Drage.

EBBSFLEET UNITED’S matchday programme has been voted the Vanarama National League South programme of the year for the second season running.

Announced at the National League’s AGM at Celtic Manor, Newport, on Saturday, the award is voted for by the other clubs in the division. Peter Danzey picked up the award on behalf of the club.

Aldershot Town won the National League award, while Boston United picked it up for National League North,

Fleet’s vice chairman Peter Varney told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “To win the Programme of the Year award for the second-year running is a fitting acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment of Ed Miller in producing such an informative, well-written and readable publication and even in weeks where we have to produce two programmes he never drops his high standards. Ed fully deserves this accolade.”

ENGLAND celebrated retaining the Seniors World Cup after beating Iran 2-0 in Thailand yesterday.  The Three Lions were captained by Andy Hessenthaler (who is seen below lifting up the silverware, photo Twitter). 

Meanwhile, England's under 20’s won the World Cup after beating Venezuela 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a second-half penalty save from Freddie Woodman.



ERITH TOWN newly-appointed manager Adam Woodward continues his policy of signing ex Glebe players, having announced the arrivals of striker Danny Gannon and central defender Jack Hooper from Southern Counties East Football League First Division side Holmesdale.

GRAVESHAM BOROUGH have signed Charlie Sharman.

K SPORTS FC have announced a six man board to help drive the Southern Counties East Football League First Division club forward.

“With the recent ground development at K Sports we have some of the best playing facilities in the county and with the promise of future investment from the owners Marpaul Construction this is a very exciting time for the club,” said a club statement.

“We feel the board members selected all have a wealth of business and football experience which will be invaluable in growing the club.”

The board comprises of Paul Atkins, John Roberts, Paul Roberts, Richard Monks, Shaun Prior and Mark Pickup.

The statement from the Aylesford based outfit added: “Kris Browning and his team did an excellent job last season keeping us in contention for promotion for so long and we felt it was important for us to show Kris our support and help him be in contention again this season.”

MAIDSTONE UNITED stage a benefit match for their former captain Paul Foley next Saturday 17 June (15:00).

Fifteen years ago Foley wore the Stones captain’s armband and proudly lifted the Kent League and Cup trophies.

Foley was diagnosed with a brain stem cell tumour in September 2012 and had six weeks of intensive radiotherapy, followed by two full courses of chemotherapy. Sadly, his condition has deteriorated to the point of severely limited mobility.

https://www.gofundme.com/brain-tumour-treatment

The game will see the Stones of 2001-02 taking on Ramsgate’s double-winning side of 1998-99.

Central defender Foley played a massive role in both club’s and this game is an opportunity for fans of both sides to come along and support him, while catching up with some of the players from that time.

Admission is a minimum of £5 (adults), Children aged 11 and under are free. All proceeds will go to assist Foley with his care and equipment.

Meanwhile, Jay Saunders has agreed terms with former Folkestone Invicta and Hull City striker Johan ter Horst, 22.

“I am really pleased to get Johan on board,” Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“He’s someone I’ve liked since his Folkestone days and those three years at Hull will have improved his game even more.

“He has plenty of pace, is a good finisher and gives me different options to the frontmen we’ve already got.  It’s an exciting frontline with pace, power and hopefully plenty of goals.”

Ter Horst, who scored 26 goals for Folkestone Invicta to help Neil Cugley’s side reach the Ryman League Division One South play-offs in the 2013-14 season, added: “I see this move as a very good opportunity for me. Maidstone is a club definitely on the up and I hope that I can be a part of that, play a big part next season and score goals for the club.  I am really looking forward to it.”

Ter Horst is currently recovering from a shoulder operation and should be available for selection towards the end of August.

MARGATE have paid an undisclosed transfer fee to sign winger/striker Alex Flisher, 25, from National League side Maidstone United, where he made 275 first team appearances for the club since making his debut in 2009, having progressed through the Stones’ youth and reserve team ranks for his home-town club.

SITTINGBOURNE have signed former Canterbury City and Herne Bay central defender Ben Gorham and striker Kane Rowland, 21, who netted 30 goals for Whitstable Town and Margate last season. Brickies manager Nick Davis has also snapped up Kane Phillip, 22 and winger Gil Carvalho, 20.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS are recruiting a head coach to run their under 18 youth side that will compete in the Kent Youth League.

The successful applicant will be asked to take forward the nucleus of last season’s under 16 side and at the same time liaise closely with their under 21 development team manager with a view to progress players through the youth ranks. 

Matches are played on Sunday mornings and qualifications needed are FA Level One Coaching Certificate, FA Safeguarding Children Certificate, FA First Aid Certificate and A current FA CRC Check in place.

To apply, please email Sdtonbridgeangels@gmail.com before the 17:00 deadline on 15 June.