Soccer Shorts: Crabble passes Football League ground grading requirements

Thursday 24th December 2009

Click here for today’s Christmas Eve’s Soccer Shorts.

Firstly, may I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - and a successful 2010 for all our Kent sides.

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GILLINGHAM’S head groundsman John Plummer and his staff urgently require volunteers to help remove the covers before the game with Brentford on Boxing Day, which kicks off at 12:30pm.

Volunteers will be needed from 7am on Boxing Day morning. Volunteers should report to the tunnel at Redfern Avenue at 7.00am, your help will be greatly appreciated.

Defender Josh Gowling returns to the side after serving a two match suspension, however partner Matt Fry will sit out the match after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Stockport County.

Injury victims, keeper Simon Royce (knee), defender Simon King (ankle ligaments) and midfielder Danny Jackman (shoulder) will all miss out.

Winger Andy Barcham could return after being sidelined for the visit of Stockport with a knee strain.

EBBSFLEET UNITED season-ticket holders will be able to bring a friend or family member to Boxing Day's home match against Grays Athletic for FREE.

Members of MyFootballClub will pay for one free admission for each full season ticket holder through their “One Member, One Ticket” scheme.

There is no cost to the club as the gate receipts will be supplemented from the “One Member, One Ticket” fund set up specifically to encourage more people to come to Stonebridge Road and to return after a good day and “a win”!

This offer is not a substitute for the vouchers that are part of your season ticket package. These will continue to be accepted on the day or at any other home league game this season.

Bring along all your family and friends to enjoy the matchday experience of what will be a genuine six pointer with Grays. Just show your full season ticket book at the gate to qualify for the free admission.

The “One Ticket, One Member” scheme is also being used to give youngsters in the community an opportunity to enjoy a match at Stonebridge Road and if you want to join the scheme or pay for a one-off ticket, please see the link on the front page of the Fleet website www.eufc.co.uk.

DOVER ATHLETIC now has everything in place to make a bid for Football League status - after the FA gave the club's Crabble stadium an A-grade, writes Justin Allen.

Delighted chairman Jim Parmenter - who has always stated that his ambition is to lead the Whites into the Blue Square Premier and then League Two - told www.doverathletic.com: "This is the icing on the cake for us and an early Christmas present.

"We've all worked hard to get the club back up the divisions and now we believe we have a good platform to build further. It's our intention to return to the Blue Square Premier and have a chance at trying to realise the ultimate ambition of giving Kent a second Football League club."

The board has made significant investment in the facilities at Crabble during the past couple of years.

A brand new clubhouse, plush VIP and sponsors' lounge, new floodlights, upgraded turnstiles, a matchday control room and many more improvements have been made to make the A-grading happen.

The highflying Blue Square South club has also installed a new PA system, complete safety lighting system around entire stadium, new fire alarm systems, dressing room improvements, crowd toilets, improved plumbing, refurbished irrigation, refurbished turnstiles, new fire escapes, roof water recycling for irrigation and a seat replacement and refurbishment programme.

Mr Parmenter said: "We have our house in order now. It's just a case of winning the matches to achieve our status, without the worry of needing to upgrade the ground.

"Crabble is a ground we're very proud of. We believe it's a nice environment for our supporters, is safe, has good facilities, an excellent playing surface and somewhere which can host a higher standard of football.

"Many clubs would be envious of our facilities. And to have the A-grade at this stage of Dover Athletic's development is a big honour for us."

Long-standing Whites fans will remember the heartache of missing out on promotion to the Conference after winning the Southern League title in 1990 due to ground-grading issues.

But the chairman added: "This is not something we have to worry about now. Success on the field will be rewarded."

WELLING UNITED have signed Chris Saunders this weeks and the defender/midfielder should make his debut during the home Boxing Day bash against local rivals Bromley (1pm).

Saunders started his career at Charlton Athletic, featuring in their academy side for many years. He then went on to have spells at Fisher Athletic and recently Thurrock.

Meanwhile, the Wings have confirmed that non-contracted defenders Ryan Johnson and Steve King have both been released.

DARTFORD have asked for supporters assistance, to ensure that their Boxing Day clash against Cray Wanderers goes ahead at 1pm.

Most of the snow and ice has thawed at Princes Park, but this has left a lot of surface water behind. Most of this will drain, but the club asks for volunteers with buckets to arrive at 09:30 on Saturday morning to help clear the remaining surface water from the pitch.

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell hopes to enhance his strike-force options, as he bids to climb off the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table over the festive period.

“Hopefully we will be able to get a couple of new faces in before the second Folkestone match at the very latest,” Lovell told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“We certainly need to freshen up in the attacking department as we aren’t scoring enough goals - the league table can tell us that.

“Getting Ross Morley back from suspension is a bonus but hopefully we wil be able to announce a couple of new signings shortly.”

Reflecting on the current injury situation at the club, ahead of their trip to local rivals Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day, the Welshman added: “Probably the best news is that Scott Chalmer-Stevens will be back within the next two weeks - his recovery is going well and it will be great to get him back amongst the first-team squad.

“Unfortunately Seb Barton has been told to rest for a further three months so that is a massive blow for us. Toby Asmore is still out for another month with his broken metatarsal and Paul Jones is still no nearer to full fitness.

“This leaves us light in attack Joe Fuller will probably still be out for a further three weeks with his foot injury so we will probably look to bring someone in.”

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Justin Luchford says he wants the club’s fan base to increase as he bids to clinch the Bulmers Cider Kent League title in April.

The Lilywhites are presently ten points clear of Herne Bay at the top of the table after 14 games (although Herne Bay have two games in hand) and in a Christmas message posted on www.favershamtownfc.co.uk, Luchford urges more supporters to watch the club in the New Year.

But Herne Bay are the best supported club in the division, with average gates of 192 attending games at Winch’s Field, whilst Faversham are in second place with average gates of 167, something that Luchford wants to improve on.

“I would like to thank the committee, my management team, but most of all my players for what has been a fantastic 2009,” said Luchford.

“Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to 2010 and seeing the crowds increase and the club grow week by week.”