Soccer Shorts: Fisher unveil Marc Bircham transfer coup

Friday 12th July 2013

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BECKENHAM TOWN are looking forward to welcoming two of their former players when Conference South neighbours Bromley visit Eden Park Avenue (1pm) tomorrow. Bromley manager Mark Goldberg and owner Jerry Dolke both used to play for the club.

CHATHAM TOWN have unveiled the signings of midfielder Kieran McCann and striker Andy Constable, 33, who both helped Erith & Belvedere clinch the Kent League double last season. Constable, who scored 63 goals in two seasons at Park View Road, had agreed to sign for Tunbridge Wells last, but has since joined the Ryman League Division One North club instead.

FISHER have unveiled the signing of former Queen’s Park Rangers, Millwall and Yeovil Town defensive midfielder, Marc Bircham, 35.

The Wembley-born player played 17 times for Canada between 1999-2004. Bircham was eligible to play for Canada because one of his grandfathers was born in Winnipeg.

He made his debut for Canada in an April 1999 friendly match against Northern Ireland in Belfast. He is the only player to have played for a country without actually visiting it when his first cap – as well as his first and only goal – came. He scored that goal only eight minutes after coming on as a substitute for another player making his debut, Davide Xausa.

Bircham was snapped up by Fisher manager Billy Walton following the Southern Counties East Football League club’s opening pre-season friendly, a 2-1 defeat to Ryman League Division One North side Barkingside on Tuesday night.

HERNE BAY have unveiled the signing of former Erith & Belvedere left-sided midfielder Sam Hasler.

HOLMESDALE are looking for players for their Ryman Youth League under 18s team this season. The Bromley-based club are holding a number of open trials and interested players should contact Jon Coppen on 07535 071 022 or email jon@proinfinity.co.uk .

HYTHE TOWN have completed a major new signing after agreeing a two-year sponsorship with GSE Group. The deal provides the Ryman League Division One South club with an undisclosed sum from the Hythe-based building, civil engineering and construction experts in return for main sponsorship rights.

The agreement will also help the club off the field as well as on it, as first team players and coaches will be able to use the facilities of the Hythe Imperial Leisure Club, inside the GSE Group-owned Hythe Imperial Hotel and Spa, free of charge.

The sponsorship deal will see the team’s new home shorts bear the name Hythe Imperial Hotel, while GSE Group will feature on the away kit and first team tracksuits. Imperial Green Homes, meanwhile, will adorn the back of both strips.

Peter Cuffe, the club’s newly-appointed commercial manager, told www.hythetownfc.co.uk: “We are delighted to have Hythe Imperial Hotel and GSE Group as our main sponsors and feel that we can achieve great things together over the next two years which will benefit both parties as well as the local area.”

John Dowsett, the club’s newly-appointed chairman, added: “This partnership can bring tremendous synergy to both parties, there is now the possibility of a range of unique football, golf and accommodation packages which is also unique for a club of our size.”

MAIDSTONE UNITED have announced the completion of a new two-year sponsorship deal with Britelite Windows. The company, which is based in Parkwood near Maidstone, first sponsored the club in the early 1980s. The new deal is worth more than £80,000 over the next two seasons. During the summer, thousands of pounds have been invested at the Gallagher Stadium. The club’s sponsor has backed this investment by providing two conservatories, one of which will house a new bar and the other a club shop.

MARGATE opened their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over Ashford United in midweek and joint-manager Craig Holloway is looking forward to their trip to Ryman League Division One South side Hythe Town tomorrow.

Margate finished in ninth-place in the Ryman Premier League last season, whilst Scott Porter guided Hythe Town to their highest ever league position, fourth, but went down to a 3-0 defeat in the play-off semi-finals at the end of the season.

Holloway told www.margate-fc.com: “It will be a good test as they are a decent side having made the play-offs last season and we will be looking to build on our fitness levels from the Ashford game in the week.”

Holloway has confirmed that there are no new injuries and expects a similar squad to the first game to be on show with the added plus of fans favourite Richard Avery back in the fray after a lengthy time on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the club are searching for a new enthusiastic assistant coach for their Kent Youth League Under 18 South side for the coming season. Applicants must hold a minimum FA Level 2 badge in football coaching and be available for training on Wednesday evening’s and matches on a Sunday morning. If you are interested please contact Paul Zannetti paul.zannetti@margate-fc.com.

RUSTHALL commence their pre-season campaign with a home game against Sussex County League side Crowborough Athletic tomorrow. Newly-appointed manager Gary Sharman is expected to feature a host of new signings. Meanwhile, Bexhill United will visit Jockey Farm on Saturday 20 July to replace Sidley United, who have withdrawn from all football commitments this season.

SITTINGBOURNE play their first ever home match at Woodstock tomorrow when Conference Premier newboys Welling United visit. Admission is £5 (adults), £3 (concessions) and under 16’s will be admitted free of charge. The complimentary tickets handed out at the carnival will also be accepted.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Martin Larkin says he will be without winger Josh Stanford in September as he leaves Culverden Stadium to go travelling in Australia. Stanford will be remembered for scoring the club’s only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Spennymoor Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase Final at Wembley Stadium on 4 May 2013. Larkin has unveiled the arrival of former Maidstone United and Whitstable Town midfielder Ant Bodle, who has replaced Andy McMath, who is travelling down under after getting married a few weeks’ ago.

WELLING UNITED have completed the signing of centre-back Blaine Hudson on a season-long loan from their Conference Premier rivals Cambridge United, where he played 28 games.

Hudson, 21, has already shown Wings fans what he can do in the opening pre-season matches and will add competition in defence alongside Fraser Franks and summer signing Doug Bergvist.

Welling United boss Jamie Day told www.wellingunited.com: “Blaine is a 6ft 4 in centre-back who has been unlucky with injuries in recent years.

“Cambridge want to get him to play first team games. He went on loan to Billericay at the end of last season and their manager Craig Edwards gave me a glowing reference on him.

“It will be a good opportunity for our club to get him and I now feel that we’ve got three centre-backs who can push each other on.”