Soccer Shorts: Ashford Town boss Steve Lovell shows his loyalty to crisis torn club

Friday 23rd July 2010

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DARTFORD are selling tickets for their all-ticket clash against Npower Championship newcomers Millwall, which takes place at Princes Park next Tuesday (27 July).

The club shop will be open at the various times, ahead of the lucrative pre-season friendly:

Saturday 24 July:

10am-4pm

Sunday 25 July:

10am-1pm

Monday 26 July:

2pm-6:30pm

Tuesday 27 July - if not sold out

2pm - 7:45pm

Telephone orders can be placed between 08:30-15:30 on 01322 299 991 or 01322 299 990 on Monday or Tuesday.

Spokeswoman Clare Weeks said: “We have only two phone lines, which are very busy at the moment, therefore please leave a message on the answer phone and we will endeavour to call you back as soon as we possibly can.”

DOVER ATHLETIC have announced Michael Sandmann is taking over as the new academy manager from Darren Hare.

And here the UEFA A Licence coach - who has worked for Crystal Palace and Dartford - outlines his plans to develop the next generation of Dover Athletic superstars, when speaking to www.doverathletic.com.

He said: “I would firstly like to introduce myself as the new academy manager a position I am very excited about and looking forward to the season ahead.

“My aim for the season is to progress as many players as possible into the first team for them to gain experience in first team football. Speaking with (first team manager) Martin Hayes, I know he is very interested in the Academy and will give the players the opportunity if he feels they are up to it, which already has been evident.

“Next year’s squad will consist of 1st and 2nd years combined together working hard to progress as players and as a team. Already working with the players I have been extremely pleased with the work ethic and the desire to succeed. I believe the experience of the 2nd years will be a positive influence on the new lads coming in, in which we have some extremely talented lads.

“The season is fast approaching with the Academy’s first game away to Folkestone in the FA Youth Cup 8th September 7.45pm K.O. The Academy will also be playing in The Football Conference Youth League on Wednesdays afternoons 2.00pm K.O. Your support would be much appreciated.

“I look forward to the successful season.”

Dover Athletic would like to place on record their thanks to Darren Hare for all his hard word in helping create the club's academy - and for the way he has conducted himself over the past couple of months during the handover period.

SHEFFILED FOOTBALL CLUB will be staging a Heritage Football Tournament on Saturday 31 July at the BT Local Business Stadium in Dronfield.

In a world‘s first, the oldest 3 football clubs in the world will compete in a round-robin tournament. The World‘s First Football Club, Sheffield FC will be playing host to the two clubs celebrating their 150th Anniversaries this year, their neighbours Hallam FC and Kent club Cray Wanderers.

Sheffield chairman Richard Tims told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “We were approached by Cray Wanderers’ Chairman, Gary Hillman, to help them celebrate their 150th and we saw it as an ideal opportunity to bring the three clubs together in what is an important year for both Cray and Hallam.

“Hallam FC are celebrating not only their 150th anniversary, but also the 150th anniversaries of the World’s Oldest Football Match and the World’s Oldest Ground.”

The football will kick off at 1pm with each team playing the others in games lasting 30 mins each way. All teams will get 2 hours on the pitch and the opportunity to give all of their squads a good pre-season run out. The fans will also get to see 3 hours of quality football in a historic event. Admission on the day is £6 for adults and £3 concessions.

Mr Tims added: “This is a unique event and one which should appeal to every fan of football. No matter who you support, come along and witness this historic day of action. Never before have the 3 Oldest Clubs in the World been together at the same event. It will be a memorable occasion”.

LOYAL ASHFORD Town manager Steve Lovell has said he will stay with the club, even though they are in administration and have dropped out of the Ryman League.

The Nuts and Bolts will have to wait a week to find out if they can play in the Kent League next season.

"All I want to know is if the club and the players can go forward and continue together," Lovell told BBC Radio Kent.

"I'm hoping that that will be the case and if so we will try our utmost this year to bounce back."

“I don't know the ins and the outs of all the legalities and I don't really want to know

He added: "It's a shame that it's had to go this way but for the sake of the club I think it had to be done.

"Hopefully we can take a step backwards to go forward again.

"I've always been honest and upfront with the players.

"Obviously I don't know the ins and the outs of all the legalities and I don't really want to know."

The Kent League say Ashford's application will be voted on by the other clubs at a special meeting.

However this cannot happen for at least a week, which will leave the club with less than a fortnight to prepare ahead of the Kent League's proposed start date of 7 August.

WHITSTABLE TOWN have put up a reward for information on a recent break-in at the Kent club’s Belmont Road ground.

Groundsman Bruce Smith discovered 20 pairs of ERREA shorts had been stolen from the committee room after a break in during the week.

“They are brand new just arrived for the start of the new season and someone must know who stole them or where they are,” Mr Smith told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They are so distinctive; they are Town’s colours the shorts are white with a red panel down each leg.

“They must have been taken by someone connected with football, its school break up time so if anyone sees some kids wearing brand new kit, then contact the club or the Police.”

Chairman Joe Brownett offered a reward for their return: “We have contacted the Police so please get in touch with them or if you have any information the contact the club on 01227 265646 or contact any of the committee. A pair of season tickets to all home Ryman League games is offered for their return.”

FISHER boss Gary Lisney says he is looking for a good turn-out for the club’s pre-season friendly against reprieved Ryman League side Leyton tomorrow.

The Kent League outfit have sealed impressive home wins over Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge so far this summer in games played at Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill Stadium, but return to their roots for the visit of Leyton.

Fans can watch tomorrow’s game at Mellish Fields at Bacon’s College - a stones throw away from the club’s former ground at Salters Lane - for FREE.

It will be the club’s first game in the Bermondsey since leaving the Surrey Docks Stadium and Lisney is looking forward to their homecoming.

“It’s a great opportunity for the people who want their local team, to come and show their support,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

He added: “Footballers would rather get their fitness through games, because you can’t replicate games running up and down Greenwich Park hills, where we started pre-season.”

GREENWICH BOROUGH boss Steve Firkins wants his side to continue their impressive run of pre-season form when Croydon visit their training ground tomorrow.

Looking forward to the warm-up at EDF Sports Ground, Footscray Road, Eltham, which kicks off at 3pm, Firkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “I’d like to win, but as long as everything comes off the pitch and we’ve enjoyed it and we’ve put in a good performance, I can take whatever result comes up.

“Croydon are not going to come down and pussyfoot about. I’ve known (their manager) Dickson Gill for a number of years now and he’ll want to come down to see his team do well, same as what we do, so I expect a tough game.”

HERNE BAY have unveiled the signing of John Ralph, who arrives from their Kent League rivals Hythe Town.

The 21-year-old, a central defender, scored several goals last term through coming forward for set-pieces and will make a strong Bay defence even stronger this season.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Corbett, formerly of Gillingham and Blackburn Rovers, made his debut with 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday and is rapidly returning to full match fitness.

LORDSWOOD welcome Ryman Premier League side Horsham to Martyn Grove tomorrow, for the first of their pre-season friendlies.

Entry is £3 (adults) and £1.50 (concessions) and all entrants to this game will be given money off vouchers for Lordswood’s other home friendlies, giving access for just £1.

SEVENOAKS TOWN boss Keith Levett says he was disappointed with his side’s performance during their 3-0 defeat at Three Bridges in midweek.

He told www.sevenoakstownfc.org: “It's early days and we have to be careful what we say to the players - what we want, and what they deliver are two different things.

"Clearly we are not sharp enough, which is an area we need to quickly address, and they are still not sure what we are asking of them in how we want to play. That's not helpful, because if people aren't sure, then things break down, and that's what happened at Three Bridges.

"I expected us to keep the ball better, and when you don't do that, you are always up against it. We gave the ball away in the wrong areas time after time, but that's something for me to deal with.

“Obviously I don''t like losing, but we need to take stock about where are.”

The Kent League side welcome Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers to Greatness Park tomorrow, and Levett said: “We have got another game against Cray on Saturday, which is good, and we can go again, and have another look.

If pre-season was all great and wonderful we wouldn't have a job to do."

Speaking about his squad, Levett added: "It's coming together, I would like it to be together now, but we are still assembling it, which is one of those things.

"We still need a forward, a centre half, I hopefully will sort out the goalkeeper situation this week, but can't confirm anything at the moment.

"We were a bit deflated after Tuesday's game, which is to be expected after a performance like that."

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin says he is relishing the competitive spirit throughout this weekend’s Courier Cup at Culverden Stadium.

With pre-season now well and truly underway, Tunbridge Wells have enjoyed one excellent win at Three Bridges, followed by a surprisingly heavy loss at Redhill.

“Training has continued to been good,” Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk. “We have had 20-25 players at each session and the boys are interacting very well. It’s a shame we don’t have a reserve team as we would be able to put out a very good side - the training games we are having are very even and competitive.

“The result at Redhill illustrates exactly what early pre-season games are there for. Redhill looked a very good side, and although the facilities were shocking, that doesn’t hide the fact we made a couple of mistakes and we got punished for them. It was as simple as that.

“I would much rather have those happen now in pre-season - where we can bring everyone back down a level or two - rather than see it happen in a competitive game.”

Having ideally hoped to have finalised his squad in time for the Courier Cup weekend, the realities of pre-season find Larkin waiting on decisions from some prospective players, while he is still taking the time to properly assess his players before making some final decisions of his own.

“We are still looking at a couple of players - so we will be doing the trimming after the Courier Cup now,” said Larkin.

“We have the core of our squad signed-up, but we just need to look at a few more things before we sign the rest, and nail down our 18-man squad. I know exactly what I want the squad to look like - fingers crossed we can secure it now.

“We have two local lads that we are hoping to sign who will make an impact on the first team week-in-week-out. One is a central midfielder who can also play at centre half, and the other is a winger/forward with a superb pedigree. He is away for the weekend so hopefully we can get him wrapped up next week.”

Of course, any outstanding questions surrounding players, their passion and desire, and how they will fit into Larkin’s future plans will undoubtedly be given a big nudge towards conclusion on Saturday as Crowborough provide the Courier Cup semi-final opponents at Culverden (12 noon Kick-off).

Larkin said: “I expect Crowborough to come and have a real go just like they did last year - I saw them play a couple of times last year and they have some excellent young players so it will be an even game. I will be looking to my lads to make sure our desire levels are higher than theirs.

“We will be going as close to a full-strength side on Saturday as possible. There will be two missing, but we are approaching the Courier Cup with only the Saturday in mind, we will then see who is still walking for the next day against either Tonbridge or Rusthall.”

Larkin clearly sees the prospective full-blooded affair with Crowborough as excellent practice for what he predicts will be a competitive season ahead.

“The league looks like it is going to be very competitive this year, what with Ashford Town potentially coming down into the mix. If they keep their squad together they will be strong (and their manager has just pledged his future to them).

“A lot of money is being spent by the big clubs - and some of the smaller ones too - so we will have to be at our best week-over-week to compete.

“I am confident the boys are aware of this and are more than capable of living up to it. One or two who have stood out so far deserve some recognition: Step forward Hooley (Carl Cornell) who has been exceptional in training, as has Perry Spackman and Jason Bourne. Perry and Jason are both looking particularly fit.”

In summary, if you were to take one message away from the above paragraphs, it should be that this weekend’s Courier Cup competition will be used to provide the squad the ideal platform to really stake their claim for a starting position against Beckenham Town, when the competitive action kicks-off in earnest on August 7th at Culverden. And that in itself will guarantee a competitive edge to the pre-season action this weekend.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk are planning to cover the Courier Cup Final on Sunday (3pm) - if Tunbridge Wells are one of the finalists.