Soccer Shorts: Bromley sign convicted drug dealer

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BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg has unveiled the controversial re-signing of Ali Chaaban.

The striker was ARRESTED in July 2007 after police raided his Chelsea home. He pleaded guilty at West London Magistrates’ Court on October 15 2007 to possessing a class C controlled drug with intent to supply 845g of cannabis.

He was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on 12 November 2007.

Goldberg said at the time, “He is not a player of ours anymore. We are aware he had been arrested and we agreed by mutual consent to part company two weeks ago. The reason he has not been involved in the team is because of this.”

However, the club have controversially re-signed the player, and has been drafted into their squad for tomorrow’s home game against Dorchester Town.

A statement issued by the club, on www.bromleyfc.net, this week, said: “We ask all supporters to help Ali put his past behind him and allow him to further his very promising football career.

“Ali fully accepts the responsibilities that will come with playing for Bromley. Having served his time and overcome a long struggle with injury he deserves a fresh start and we are delighted that he has chosen to make that at Hayes Lane.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have completed the signing of 24-year-old striker Matthew Judge.

His arrival at Stonebridge Road was confirmed when the Fleet obtained international clearance for Judge, who had been playing in the Eircom League of Ireland for Sligo Rovers.

Judge, who was born in Barking, Essex, began his football career with a five-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur. He then moved on to Luton Town, and while with the Hatters was capped by the Irish Under 19 side. He has also earned recognition from the Republic’s Under 21 setup.

Before moving to Sligo Rovers in 2006, 6ft tall Judge joined Dagenham & Redbridge, and he has also played for Heybridge Swifts and Harlow Town.

Fleet, who travel to Woking tomorrow, fielded a strong side as they ran out convincing winners over a strong Dagenham & Redbridge side on Wednesday afternoon in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Stonebridge Road.

PASE player, Michael West opened the scoring after he was played in by Judge, who then added the second himself to double the Fleet’s advantage, before Ricky Shakes added a third before Judge rounded off the scoring to complete the scoring in a 4-0 win.

Boss Liam Daish included Sacha Opinel, Mark Ricketts, Sam Mott, Dean Pooley, Shakes, Kezie Ibe in the starting line-up and skipper Paul McCarthy also started as he bids to regain fitness following a long-standing injury.

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman takes his side to Woodside Road, Worthing tomorrow to lock horns with Horsham.

Burman knows exactly what it’s like to be in charge of a homeless club.

“Our opponents tomorrow must be going through a similar position to us in regards to ground sharing,” Burman told www.dartfordfoothallclub.co.uk.

“We all know this takes a lot of time for the club to adjust and get used to their new surroundings, let alone trying to find a training venue.

“Horsham have also suffered with injuries to key players this season, but like us, are getting their players fit.

“I felt earlier on in the season when we met and won the game, we played very well on the day, and I have no doubt that our opponents will want avenge for that.”

Horsham can expect a lucrative pay-day as Dartford fans will travel down to Worthing in big numbers, as per usual.

Burman added, “It’s a long journey down to Worthing, but what a fantastic achievement it is for the club to be able to run two coaches for our supporters and not to mention those who may be driving themselves.”

Burman also revealed that Adam Gross has “settled his differences” with Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic and has signed for the Princes Park outfit on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward has snapped up midfielder, Ellis Green, 22, from Ryman Premier League rivals Tooting & Mitcham United.

Green joined Welling United from Beckenham Town in 2006 and, apart from a month at Eastleigh in the summer of 2007, was there until the end of November 2008, when he signed for Tooting.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow warns supporters not to expect his side to score a bag-full at Heybridge Swifts tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Third-placed Angels, who have thrown away 2-0 leads in their last two home games, having to settle for a draw against both Ramsgate and Maidstone United, travel to Scraley Road to play the bottom side in the Ryman Premier League.

Despite Swifts’ position at the foot of the table, the Essex side have only conceded 28 goals - four less than the Angels!

And Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk last weekend, says his side will not be complacent tomorrow.

“That’s one thing you’ll never get from any team that I’m involved in,” he insisted. “They’ve got the best defensive record in the league.

“They’ll be just as hard and just as frustrating as the bigger games are. It’s important we start getting a couple of wins under our belts.”

SITTINGBOURNE have unveiled the re-signing of Kieran Marsh and he is expected to be on the substitutes’ bench for tomorrow’s trip to Fleet Town.

BECKENHAM TOWN, struggling in the bottom three in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table, have ended their close association with financially crippled Blue Square South club Fisher Athletic.

“It’s been a fruitful and hopefully mutually beneficial association between the two clubs,” a club spokesman told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.

“We are excited by the prospect of assembling a new consortium that can take the club forward. We have already been overwhelmed by the support and interest shown in the club over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, the club, who welcome whipping boys Sporting Bengal United to Eden Park Avenue tomorrow, will not know until the FA Challenge Vase committee meet on the 23 February as to whether the club will be allowed back into next season’s competition.

The club have attended a meeting at FA headquarters at Soho Square before the chairman and vice-chairman of the Vase Committee, but still remain uncertain as to their future.

Although Beckenham Town have completed a five-year ban at the end of this season, it would seem that uncertainly still surrounds whether the club will be allowed to re-enter FA Competitions.

SLADE GREEN boss Martin Ford has added three new faces to his squad this week - to go with the four he snapped up upon his arrival.

Signing for the club are former Bromley youth team player Michael Groves, Dane Mills from Sittingbourne and goalkeeper Jack Durrell from Kent County League side Old Bexlians.

“All three players are again under the age of twenty and will bring some much needed competition to the squad,” Ford told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc

“Grovesy will give me more options up front, while Dane will give me more balance down the left hand side. Jack will compete alongside Dan Burke and Gary Hick for the number one shirt.”

Matt Bannand and Anthony Glover, meanwhile, have left the Small Glen club.

Former VCD Athletic boss Ford revealed that Lee Woodyard has turned down an offer to join local rivals Erith Town - having turned down a similar approach from Holmesdale previously.

“Woody is a big player for us, he knows that,” said Ford. “We are trying to push the club up a gear, and he is happy to be a part of that.”

Meanwhile, defender Sam Groombridge has began light training after his knee ligament injury and is expected to return to action in about four weeks time.

Slade Green’s trip to Norton Sports tomorrow has been postponed - due to a waterlogged pitch at Herne Bay’s Winch’s Field.