Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Fleet set to hand Daish a new contract
Friday 14th August 2009
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EBBSFLEET UNITED chairman Duncan Holt is working on a plan to put to MyFC members to offer a new contract to manager Liam Daish that will offer better security for both parties in the wake of media reports linking him to Cambridge United.
At the same time, the Fleet chairman has issued a statement regarding these links to counter the inaccuracies and potentially misleading comments made to the press by other parties' in recent days.
"Ebbsfleet United are not in the habit of commenting on the affairs of other clubs, but when inaccurate comments are made about this club and its employees we feel we should put the record straight," Mr Holt told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk.
"By now, you will all be aware George Rolls, the former chairman of Cambridge United, gave a lengthy interview on BBC Radio London's Non League Show on Monday evening in which he 'revealed' details of the process he undertook to recruit a new manager for the club to replace Gary Brabin. During the interview he made a number of references to Ebbsfleet United and to Liam Daish.
"We feel that we have a responsibility to provide our owners with our view of Mr Rolls' remarks and that they deserve some comment from Ebbsfleet United Football Club. I am sure you will understand why we have taken time to make a considered response, as we had the game against Cambridge United and we did not feel our agenda should be driven by someone else.
"Cambridge United FC asked if they could speak to Liam when the job became vacant, and because they were looking to offer him the security of a three-year contract, he understandably wanted to see what they had to say. Liam Daish spoke to Cambridge and there were questions from Cambridge United FC regarding what compensation would be required by Ebbsfleet United Football Club for his services. Liam wanted to talk to Cambridge United FC further and travelled to meet George Rolls. However, Mr Rolls did not turn up for the meeting and the same day Martin Ling was unveiled as manager.
"As Mr Rolls stated on the Cambridge United website, 'He [Martin Ling] was our number one choice and I'm sure the fans will be very happy with the appointment, which shows our ambition by appointing a manager of such a high calibre.' Martin Ling subsequently resigned nine days later, Mr Rolls then resigned as chairman and within days Martin Ling has been reinstated as manager.
“We do not believe that Mr Rolls' comments since leaving Cambridge United merit a response. From conversations in the Ebbsfleet United Football Club boardroom on Tuesday night, this is clearly an episode that both Ebbsfleet United Football Club and Cambridge United wish to move on from.
"At the end of the day, we retained our excellent manager and he felt fairly treated in being allowed to explore another opportunity. What has recently purportedly happened at Cambridge United in terms of their relationship with incumbent and potential managers is at best odd, and it would not be fair for us to comment on their business practice. We recognise that Mr Rolls' comments were his own and not those of Cambridge United Football Club with whom we have an excellent relationship."
DOVER ATHLETIC fans are urged to arrive at the ground earlier for our Blue Square South clash with Dorchester tomorrow to ease turnstile congestion.
There were large queues at the turnstiles prior to the brilliant 2-0 win against Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night.
And, with the club expecting another good crowd tomorrow, chairman Jim Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com : "It would help ease congestion if fans can arrive as early as possible.
"The ground is open from 1pm and it would ease long queues, and assure no-one misses the kick-off, if supporters could turn up at the ground as early as possible.
"The atmosphere was superb on Tuesday and made the evening enjoyable for everyone."
Meanwhile, there has been debate about the club's new ground regulations that have been introduced for this season.
The chairman explained: "These regulations had to be introduced to obtain a safety certificate at Crabble for 2009-10.
"Our stewards are all now SIA trained, as required, and the regulations do have to be carried out to the letter, because otherwise our safety certificate will not be renewed for 2010/11.
"The safety authorites do spot checks on clubs and if we are caught not carrying out what is required to satisfy them we risk having our certificate taken away.
"I don't believe the new regulations will ruin anyone's enjoyment of a matchday or matchnight at Crabble. It's just something we all need to get used to.
"And I do ask for the fans to be patient while everything beds down - and also to understand what we have to do to meet safety requirements."
MAIDSTONE UNITED skipper Jay Saunders says he is looking forward to playing in a squad made up of youngsters.
Saunders, who along with Nick Barnes and Roland Edge is suspended for tomorrow’s Ryman Premier League opener against Carshalton Athletic, a game being played at Ashford Town’s Homelands Stadium, told www.maidstoneunited.com , “I am really looking forward to the season starting on Saturday although I am gutted I won’t be playing as I am suspended.
“After a couple of months off over the summer it was good to get back to pre-season training. Although it is hard work I don’t mind and it’s nice to see all the boys and have a laugh again.
“So far I have been really impressed with PK (James Peacock) and Tom Parkinson who have been superb at centre half and Jimmy Bottle has looked really sharp in recent weeks. Although we had a good team last season I think we have a better squad this time around and we have a nice mix of youth and older heads.
“There is a good spirit within the squad and I think that has been helped by our trip to Bournemouth after the Winchester game. I have never done such trips before with other clubs but having done it twice now with Maidstone I can see how much it helps the team bond together. There are no cliques within the squad as the older and younger players mix well.
“I don’t set myself specific targets when it comes to a new season although ideally I would like to win something. I think the league will be a lot more open this year. There won’t be a side like Dover last season who will run away with the title and we have a good enough squad to be pushing for a play-off place this time around.”
SEVENOAKS TOWN boss Simon Jones says several players are looking forward to making their mark during tomorrow’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round showdown at neighbours Tunbridge Wells.
Several familiar faces are likely to be in the Tunbridge Wells line-up at Culverden Stadium.
Jon Lord and Benji Agana, who both played for Oaks last season have made the switch, together with Perry Spackman, who will miss the game because of suspension.
Brad Draper and Brad Mortimer swell the ex-Oaks contingent even further, and Jones told www.sevenoakstownfc.org : “With the clubs being so close there will always be plenty of movement between them."
Matt Foreman lines up against Wells, having played there before switching to Sussex neighbours Crowborough Athletic, then moving to Greatness Park last season.
Agana scored twice for Wells in the opening day 6-0 win against Sporting Bengal, while Foreman was on target as Oaks lost 2-1 at Erith Town.
Jones had mixed feelings about the outcome, believing Oaks might have been 4-0 at up half-time, Joe Creasey hitting the bar, and a couple of hand-ball incidents in the area, not given.
He said: "We were tremendous in the first half, and they couldn't get near us. We played some nice passing football, and scored a fantastic goal.
"It forced them to change their shape in the second half, playing an extra-man in midfield, and we weren't the same team. Had we played for 90 minutes, like we did in the first 45 , no team could have beaten us. That's exactly how we should be looking to play."
Any replay will be on Tuesday night (kick off 7.45), with the winners away to Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet in the Preliminary Round on Saturday August 29.
RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward has drafted in Sam Mott and the goalkeeper will make his debut in their home game against Fleet Town tomorrow.
With Shaun Alliston suffering from an injured hand, Ward has managed to find cover in Mott,, who many consider to be one of the best up and coming 'keepers in Kent.
Mott, who has just turned 21, joined Ebbsfleet's PASE scheme at 15 and has just been released following the reduction in the wage budget.
Recommended to the Rams by both Liam Daish and Tony Burman, the goalkeeper has played in a couple of pre-season friendlies for Dartford but is currently without a club, and is looking forward to having a chance to make his mark at Southwood.
Ramsgate secretary, Martin Able, posting on the fans’ forum at www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk said today, “Very keen lad, who drove over to my office to get the forms signed straight away.”
ERITH & BELVEDERE begin their FA Cup campaign tomorrow when Combined Counties League side Sandhurst Town visit Park View Road.
The Fizzers have made a fantastic start to their League season having won both of their League games this season.
On opening day, Molesey were defeated by 4 goals to nil at the Bottom Meadow before the Fizzers travelled to Guildford City, who were also beaten by the same score on Wednesday.
These results mean the Berkshire based club stretch their current unbeaten run to nine matches!
With Paul Gross still suspended, the Deres should be boosted by the return of striker Ross Cable for tomorrow's tough looking cup tie.
Joint Manager Paul Gorman is relishing the prospect of FA Cup action. "I can't wait for the match to come around," he told www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk.
"We need to get back playing and hopefully put last Saturday's defeat at Hythe behind us. We know it won't be easy for us because we had Sandhurst watched at Guildford on Wednesday and know that they are a good team.
"But we saw some weaknesses in their game and we hope to exploit them and progress into the next round."
MUCH TRAVELLED striker Mo Takaloo, who ended last season at Hythe Town, has signed for yet another Kent League side, Deal Town.
Deal, who welcome Arundel to the Charles Sports Ground in the FA Cup tomorrow, have launched a new club website www.dealtownfc.co.uk.
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