Soccer Shorts: We don’t sign players who have been there, done it and are on the way down, says Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear

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BECKENHAM TOWN host their Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace in a pre-season friendly at Eden Park Avenue on Friday 15 July (19:00).  The last time the Eagles landed at the club was in July 2014 and attracted the club’s record attendance of just under 2,000. 

BROMLEY have confirmed that striker Moses Emmanuel, 26, has left after two seasons and scoring 37 goals during his time at the Hayes Lane outfit.

The Ravens finished their debut Vanarama National League campaign in fourteenth-place last season.

“The club have been unable to retain the services of fans favourite Moses Emmanuel, who is out of contract and is currently believed to be training with Football League clubs,” said a club statement, posted on www.bromleyfc.tv/site.

“Everyone at Bromley Football Club would like to thank Moses for his considerable effort and the superb number of goals he scored during his time at Hayes Lane and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Bromley, who went down to a 4-2 defeat at Ryman Premier League side Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, host relegated Charlton Athletic at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

Russell Slade, who is preparing for his first season in charge at The Valley, won his first game, a 4-1 win at Welling United, who are now managed by former Bromley boss Mark Goldberg.

Meanwhile, Alex Wall is currently training with Bromley’s National League rivals Sutton United, with a view to a permanent transfer ahead of the new season.

DOVER ATHLETIC started their pre-season campaign with a 4-1 home win over Billericay Town, with goals coming from Ricky Miller, Chris Kinnear Junior and Tyrone Marsh.

Boss Chris Kinnear told www.doverathletic.com: “Everyone looked fresh and enjoyed it.  Sometimes in pre-season there are two or three that are nowhere near the standard, but they were all at it.”

During the close season Nicky Deverdics and Stefan Payne have moved to Hartlepool United and Barnsley respectively.

Kinnear said: “When we first had Nicky, no one else wanted him and Stef was in the Ryman Premier, so we have helped them to become League players and we will be looking to do the same again.  It’s part and parcel of football at this level and we won’t be feeling sorry for ourselves.”

Kinnear is confident Dover’s enhanced reputation of development is likely to attract players, especially after finishing in fifth-place in the Vanarama National League la season.

He said: “They get an opportunity here and would be silly not to want to come as they have more chance of getting into the Football League than any other club.

“We don’t sign players who have been there, done it and are on the way down, they have got to fit in with the rest of the lads’ ambition.

“Dover is a family club and we have players like Ricky Modeste, Mitch Walker and Tyrone Sterling who have been here some time.  It’s a really tight knit group and we are building for the future, with good young players who can improve over time.”

FOLKESTONE INVICTA say they are expecting a good-sized crowd for the visit of newly-promoted Maidstone United on Tuesday night.

The game is a fully deserved testimonial for Folkestone’s long-serving full-back Josh Vincent, who has played more than 350 competitive games for the club since making his first team debut during the 2008-09 season after making his way up through the youth ranks.

Manager Neil Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “Josh has been a terrific servant for this club and I hope he gets the kind of night he deserves.”

HASTINGS UNITED newly-appointed manager Darren Hare has signed striker Frannie Collin (Maidstone United), central defender Steve Watt (Leatherhead) and central midfielder and set-piece specialist Wayne Wilson (Ramsgate).

LYDD TOWN newly-appointed manager Liam Smith has announced that Roy Guiver has joined his management team.

MAIDSTONE UNITED have signed versatile player Jack Evans, 23.

MARGATE boss Nikki Bull says he got a lot out of Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Ryman League Division One South side Ramsgate in the First Leg of the Thanet Cup at the weekend.

Bull told www.margate-fc.com: “Although on Saturday we did not achieve the result that we had been hoping we all still need to remember that this is a totally group of players that only met each other for the first time under two weeks ago.

“A lot of them were making their first appearance for the club and were perhaps over keen to make a good impression.

“Those of you that know me are aware that usually during a match I am constantly patrolling up and down the technical area shouting instructions and heading and kicking every ball but on Saturday myself and Paul Barnes made the conscious decision to simply observe and make notes.

“Paul watched the game from up on the scaffolding above the dug-outs to get a better view and I sat and watched from the side-lines.

“During the training camp a lot of information had been given to the players and it was an opportunity to see what had been taken on board whilst at the same time allowing the players the freedom to play there natural games.

“After talking to Paul at length after the game, we both felt that we got a lot out of Saturday’s game.

“Losing to a local rival at home is not what we wanted but they were well motivated and gave us a proper game and it’s these games that will stand us in good stead come the start of the season. It also makes for an interesting return leg when we travel to Ramsgate for our last pre-season game!”

THAMESMEAD TOWN are searching for a kit man to be part of Tommy Warrilow’s back-room team.

WHITSTABLE TOWN are holding its Annual General Meeting at the Belmont Ground on Thursday, 14 July at 19:30. This meeting is for current committee and club members only, who should already have received notice.

The AGM will be followed by an open meeting in the clubhouse starting around 20:10.  All supporters are welcome to attend to catch up with the club’s latest news prior to the start of the pre-season fixtures.