Soccer Shorts: Folkestone Invicta must find £800 per month to pay off tax bill

Friday 05th February 2010

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FOLKESTONE INVICTA must find £800 per month to pay off their unpaid tax bill, believed to be £170,000.

The Ryman League Division One South club went into today’s shareholders meeting sitting proudly at the top of the table, but the club will be deducted 10 points by the League, which sees them drop below Croydon Athletic, Fleet Town and Worthing in the table, on 43 points.

Lynn Woods has been appointed as the club’s new chairman and according to shareholders put on “a very impressive presentation” at the meeting, held at Cheriton Road this evening.

“The ideas about a pyramid organisation for the teams, with the seniors at the top is excellent,” continued the shareholder.

“Also the formation of a Supporters Trust to own the club is both generous and progressive.”

He added: “We have to find £800 a month, with some shareholders kindly paying the £30,000 up front payment.”

The club are expected to issue a statement tomorrow.

EBBSFLEET UNITED and Jamie Forshaw have parted company after the former Southend United youth's contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Forshaw made 13 appearances for the Fleet this term, but with 11 of those coming from the bench and first-team football hard to come by - and with the recent signing of Moses Ashikodi - it was agreed by both parties that the player's chance of first-team football could be better achieved at pastures new.

He had turned out for Ryman League Division One South side Ashford Town this season in a loan spell and has previously been on the books of Southend United and Norwich City.

Trials for next seasons intake for the DOVER ATHLETIC FC Football Academy are taking place during half term at the Abbey school in Faversham, on Friday 19th February.

The day begins at 10.00am with a presentation by Darren Hare, Whites' assistant manager and Academy manager.

Darren works at the Abbey School and coaches the Academy players, along with Dover Athletic first-team boss Andy Hessenthaler.

The trials will then take place on grass at about 11.00am and will finish about 1.00pm and anyone is welcome to attend that are currently in Year 11.

The Academy at Dover has really moved forwards and already there are signs that it could produce some potential players for the club.

Speaking to www.doverathletic.com, Hare said: "We are pleased with the progression of the players so far and we have strived to create a professional atmosphere in training and in games that will challenge the players.

"Andrew Miller has made several first team appearances from the subs bench along with Ben Humphreys, and Andrew has also attracted the interest of Premier League Aston Villa which is nice for him, and as much as we would hate to lose him, I think this just shows that a Football Academy is a good place to ply your trade.

"Our game against Folkestone recently in the Kent Senior cup highlights the importance of young players to Dover. Over eight 16 year olds were involved from Academy and youth teams and they all did themselves proud. I was very proud after the game, and I know the pro’s involved on the day were very complimentary."

Whilst the senior side attempt to climb the non league pyramid to potentially have a chance of promotion to the Football League, the manager and Academy coach, Andy Hessenthaler, sheds light on his vision of the way forwards for the club and where the Academy fits in.

Hessenthaler said: "I want to take the club as far as I can and there are many factors that will influence that, and being able to develop home grown young players is definitely one of them.

"As we climb the divisions, it has been noticeable how the standard of players has improved, along with the physical side of the game. Being able to compete at this level requires a full time mentality for a young player, and that is what we are trying to promote here."

The trials are the first stage of entering the Academy as interviews will only be conducted after the trial is successful.

Hare explains: "There are three areas we consider before offering places here. The first is the football ability and potential, and the second is their academic record, and thirdly, but most importantly, their levels of application and behaviour.

"We will not take players who do not wish to comply with the ethos of the Academy. Hard work both in the classroom and out of the classroom is expected, and high standards of behaviour are expected at all times."

If successful at the trials, players can then choose their subjects they wish to study before applying to receive an interview.

The Academy currently sits mid table in the Football Conference Youth league after a first season which is pleasing considering the age and inexperience at this level of some of the players.

Hare said: "Having 24 players enrolled has meant a constant switching of team selection which has led to a lack of team cohesion at times. However, I took 24 on thinking some may leave, and none have!! We must be doing something right!

"This year there will be 16 places, making a total of 40, and the Academy team will be selected on merit."

If you want to attend the trial, please email your details to Darren Hare at the Abbey school dhare@abbey.kent.sch.uk.

Anyone is welcome to come along.

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Alan Walker wants his side to bounce back at Aveley tomorrow, having been defeated in two cup competitions in the past seven days.

Salisbury City and Tilbury have defeated the Stones in the Cups this week and three points in Essex will go down a treat.

“Obviously we have lost our last two fixtures going out of the FA Trophy and League Cup during the process but we know that we can do a lot better as a side,” Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“Tuesday night was also a good opportunity to give a run out to those players who have not been as involved recently such as Keelan Mooney, Dean Hernandez-Bradshaw and Lynden Rowland.

“It was great to see Ashley Ulph involved again after his injury. Touch Wood, Ashley seems to have come through the game without any after effects although it is unlikely he will be involved again tomorrow as that might be a bit much.

“However, we are going to have to think about rotating the players in the side as we are scheduled to play on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday in the coming week and some of our players will struggle to play three times in such a short space of time.

“Unfortunately we also have a few injury concerns at the moment as well. Gabriel Odunaike is definitely out for tomorrow and we also have doubts over Tom Parkinson, Jay Saunders and Jermaine Darlington. However, I am hopeful that at least two out of those three will end up being available.”

FISHER manager Gary Lisney reflects on the recent performances and wants his players to keep up the good work when Corinthian visit Champion Hill tomorrow.

“'I thought we did well against Faversham but the second goal killed us to be fair,” Lisney told www.fisherfc.co.uk.

“I was frustrated with my sending off which I felt was particularly harsh but there is not much I can do about it now.

“Once again I can never fault the players for work rate and commitment and training is going well. We've got three players who have previously played in the Blue Square South currently training with us so we'll see how it goes in regards to making some signings.

“I've been very pleased by the performances of late. Luke Coleman who has scored six in seven games. George Savage as well who has stepped into the breach and performed admirably.

“On the injury front Rafa Akala who was enjoying a decent run in the side has picked up a knock which will keep him out for a couple of weeks. However Skipper Kris Hollidge is now available for selection so we go into Saturday's game close to full strength.”

Third-from-bottom in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, Fisher go into the game one place above Corinthian tomorrow, a side that have collect three fewer points than the south Londoners.

And Lisney said: “Corinthian will be a tough proposition going by their recent results and the game they gave us at their place earlier in the season but we'll give it everything we've got to get the right result.”

HOLMESDALE have not been allowed to play the on-loan Lee Benevente against his parent club Erith & Belvedere when the two sides meet in the Bulmers Cider Kent League at Park View Road tomorrow.

The lanky striker will not feature due to the terms of his loan agreement, although Dalers’ manager Gary Davies, who returns to one of his former clubs, will unveil two new significant signings, one a familiar face and the other, who will be making his debut.

More to follow later.