Soccer Shorts: Hollands & Blair promote from within and appoint Bryan Greenfield as their new boss

Here are tonight's Soccer Shorts articles.

AC LONDON have switched over to the Combined Counties League Division One following a controversial season in the Kent Invicta League.   The club started the season at Crystal Palace Sports Stadium but swiftly moved in at Surrey based Banstead Athletic.

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC say they are delighted with the response as they search for a replacement for Antony Williams, who left the club to manage Ryman League Division One South side Chipstead.

The board at the Southern Counties East Football League club will spend the next couple of days sifting through the applicants along with any that arrive over the weekend.

The club’s intention is to short-list and invite those that stand out for interview later this week with a view to making an appointment within the next week.

Chairman Paul Smith told the clubs website: “It is reassuring to have so many people interested in the job and it will be difficult to choose our next manager but this is a good problem to have.

“We are very keen to make the appointment soon, as we want to ensure the new manager has plenty of time to prepare for the new season.”

ASHFORD UNITED’S Reserves have changed their name to Ashford Football Club.

“We have received Kent County Football Association and Kent County League recognition as to that of a senior status club playing football in the Kent County League,” said a club statement.

“Our home base will be Homelands Stadium, where we will be playing our home games on a Saturday with a 6:30pm kick-off on the new 3G artificial surface. Also, another local venue will be used for 2:45pm kick offs if needed.

“This news has been heartily received by the Kent County League and in their opinion the future of many clubs will involve artificial surfaces which are fully up to a first class footballing status.

“Entry to Homelands will be incredibly good value for money with an entrance rate of £3 (adults), £1 (concessions) and all youths under 16 FREE.

“The club has been formed by people from Ashford FOR the people of Ashford.  We aim to achieve Charter Standard Footballing status inside our first year of formation.

“Our main aim is to be the best senior football club in Ashford.  This will not take place overnight but with community involvement coupled with unparalleled levels of playing t raining Ashford Football Club aim to offer soccer training second to none.”

Pre-Season training will take place at Homelands Stadium at 20:00 on Tuesday 2 August.  To register please send your details, including your preferred position along with previous playing experience and address it to Ashford Football Club, c/o Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 9NJ.

BROMLEY’S youth secretary Alton Francis has explained why the club joined the Kent Youth League Mini-League.

The Ravens host Hollands & Blair in the competition at Hayes Lane on Sunday morning, kicking off on the stadium pitch at 11:00.

Mr Francis said: “The Mini-League had to be formed by the Kent Youth League committee as teams from every division kept folding. 

“The maximum per League is 12 clubs per division, as you can see this ended up with seven teams and we finished runners-up to Dulwich Hamlet in the North Division.

“With the season commenced on 6 September 2015 it was apparent come December teams would have finished the League programme as early as February. If the weather wasn’t so bad then by January the season would surely be over.

“Bromley’s last game in the League was 21^st February and having to wait for the eventual winners play their last game to clinch the title on.

“With Bromley playing the remaining three games of the league programme at the turn of the year, three games in seven weeks is not an ideal situation so the League, after concerns from a number of clubs needing more games to prolong the season, came up with the Mini-League, seven teams entered six games to play.”

Bromley currently sit at the top of the table, having won three, drawn one of their five games, while Hollands & Blair arrive at Hayes Lane in fourth-place with two wins and two draws.

DOVER ATHLETIC Academy side are through to the Final of the Conference Youth Alliance Play-Offs after a 7-6 win on penalties against Brentford Griffins.

The club will now face Leatherhead Academy at Sutton United on Wednesday 25 May, kicking off at 14:00.

Mike Sandmann’s full-time job is to manage Dover Athletic’s Academy, while his part-time role is to manage Ryman Premier League club Leatherhead.

He told www.doverathletic.com: “It’s a fantastic achievement by the players to be in the Final of the Conference Youth Alliance Play-Offs.

“Across the country, the top two teams from each League were entered into it, which shows the quality of the players we have here in the Academy.

“The players have been great throughout the season and I’m so pleased for them to have this opportunity.

“They missed out in the League Cup Semi-Final, progressed to the First Round of The FA Youth Cup (losing at Millwall) and now this – I couldn’t ask for any more of the players.

“To have lads involved with the first team this year and play in the Vanarama National League is our biggest achievement as well as progressing players onto professional clubs.

“I know the players will go and enjoy the final and hopefully they can top off their great season by winning it!”

EBBSFLEET UNITED confirm tickets for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League South Promotion Final against Maidstone United have now been sold out meaning a 3,800 capacity crowd will be in attendance at Stonebridge Road.

Despite contacting the club for a press pass just hours of last Sunday’s semi-final second legs finishing, to ask that www.kentishfootball.co.uk could cover the game, The Fleet declined.

Bexley are playing NRG Gym Kent County League Premier champions Faversham Strike Force at Crockenhill’s Wested Meadow tomorrow (2:45pm), where Bexley will not ask you to queue or recite their club history in order to watch the game.

The Promotion Final between two Kent clubs was supposed to be a proud way to sign off our coverage of the 2015-2016 season.

“Guy at work couldn’t get a ticket because he had a ME postcode despite being an Ebbsfleet supporter for over 30 years!” said one reader.

Home fans and neutral supporters who just wanted to watch the game were turned down after failing to answer questions on Ebbsfleet United’s history!

ERITH & BELVEDERE are looking to appoint a new club secretary to start as soon as possible to work on a voluntary basis.

Your role will be to act as a representative for the club to the Kent FA and the Football Association, knowledge of how the national game system works is desirable but not essential as full training will be offered.

This role will suite an administrative person with a passion for non-league football, you will work closely with the board of directors and the team managers to ensure the smooth running of the club.

On match days you will meet and greet officials, opposition team players, coaches and club officials and any club guests, make sure that the team sheet is completed and handed to the officials on time and send the result through to the League after the game has finished.

Interested applicants should call John McFadden on 07932838891.

GILLINGHAM have parted company with first-team coach Steve Lovell.

HERNE BAY stage a testimonial match for Lee Browning at Winch’s Field when Sam Denly’s side face a Tommy Warrilow Select XI on Sunday, kicking off at 13:00.

HOLLANDS & BLAIR have followed tradition and promoted internally by asking left-back Bryan Greenfield to move onto the management ladder as the club’s new firs team boss.

The Scottish defender replaces Paul Piggott, who stands down after seven successful seasons in charge of the Gillingham based club.

Clint Gooding has left the club following Piggott’s shock departure from the club.

A club statement said: “A daunting task and big shoes to fill, replacing Paul Piggott, but he has the full support and confidence of the club management.”

MARGATE are delighted to announce that defender Adam Cash has signed a one-year contract extension to stay at Hartsdown Park.

The full-back joined the Blues in 2014 under former manager Terry Brown, who sent him out on loan at Ryman Premier League sides Metropolitan Police and Leatherhead.

“Adam has spent a lot of time on loan last season and has developed into a strong full-back, who will have an important role to play this season,” manager Nikki Bull told www.margate-fc.com.

The Vanarama National League South club confirmed that defender Brett Johnson and midfielder Lewis Taylor have committed themselves to the club for a further year.

Both players’ contracts had expired this summer but Bull has offered them both one year extensions which they have accepted.

Taylor, who won the supporters player of the year award last Friday night, joined the club in the summer of 2014, the same time as Brett Johnson arrived from Woking.

Manager Bull was delighted that the pair had decided to stay with the Blues for another campaign.

He said: “It is great that both Lewis and Brett will be with us again next season. We are rebuilding at Margate FC but these were players that I wanted to keep and I am delighted that they have agreed to stay”.

“Both Brett and Lewis are very popular with the fans here and that showed Friday night and I have no doubt that would have gone a long way to deciding that they wanted to be part of this different project moving forward”.

Bull has signed striker Mike Fondop-Talom, 22, from Ryman Premier League side Billericay Town on a one-year deal.

Bull said: “Mike will give us plenty of pace and aerial presence up front next season and he is desperate to show what he can do at this level”.

Defenders Nathan Green and Charlie Wassmer have both left the club after mutually agreeing their exit.

Despite still having a year to run on their current deals Bull mutually agreed to end their contracts as he looks to rebuild his side ahead of the 2016/17 season.

He said: “Both Charlie and Nathan have been good servants to Margate Football Club but this is all part of the rebuilding process now but we wish them both well with their future endeavours.”

RAMSGATE legend Warren Schulz has decided to call time on his semi-professional career.

Schulz has made over 500 appearances for the Rams in 13 years with the club, but has been absent for the past few months.

He scored in each of his 13 seasons with the club and was part of the 2005-06 side that reached The FA Cup First Round and won the Ryman League Division One title.

SEVENOAKS TOWN have unveiled the signing of big target-man Anthony Fenech from Seven Acre & Sidcup, where he scored 28 goals for the club in the season just completed.

SNODLAND TOWN have received confirmation that they have secured promotion into the Southern Counties East Football League Division One (the artist formerly known as the Kent Invicta League next season).

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm has made Damian Scannell, 31, his first summer signing.

The former Bromley winger arrives from their Ryman Premier League rivals Dulwich Hamlet, who have also lost former Bromley midfielder Danny Waldren after just one season at Champion Hill.

McKimm told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “I’m delighted Damian has agreed to join us.  His ability, strength and experience will complement what Nicky Wheeler offers and will therefore give us that balance in wide areas that will allow the squad to push forward.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Turner, 36, has been appointed the club’s new goalkeeping coach.

Turner spent two seasons playing in goal for the Angels between 2003-2005 and has since had coaching roles at Welling United, Ebbsfleet United and Dartford.

McKimm added: “Jamie will make a great addition to my coaching team and I welcome him back to Tonbridge.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS have tied former Gillingham player Ryan Crandley to a contract for next season.

Crandley told www.tunbridgewellsfc.com: “Since joining everyone has made me feel really welcome. My team mates, management and the fans have been great and I’m really looking forward to a successful season next season.”

THE Football Association have confirmed that VCD Athletic have been relegated into the Ryman League Division One North.  Cray Wanderers switch from Ryman League Division One North into the South Division.  SCEFL champions Greenwich Borough have been promoted into the Ryman League Division One South, while Whitstable Town’s relegation in to the Southern Counties East Football League has been confirmed.

WELLING UNITED manager Mark Goldberg looks set to sign an entire new squad as he prepares for life in Vanarama National League South next season.

The Wings were relegated after finishing at the foot of the Vanarma National League and Goldberg has issued his retained list.

Goldberg has retained the services of striker George Porter and left-back Joey Taylor, while midfielder Sam Corne and full-back Barney Williams are each contracted to the club already for next season.

GOT ANY NEWS?
If you would like your news published over the course of the summer then please email Stephen McCartney at stephen@mccartney2000.fsnet.co.uk.

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