Soccer Shorts: Former Ebbsfleet chairman Moules appointed vice-chairman of Kent County League

Sunday 13th June 2010

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EBBSFLEET UNITED bosses are going to sit down and discuss the club’s plans for next season’s Blue Square South campaign after their relegation was officially confirmed at the Conference AGM in Southport on Saturday.

The Fleet’s eight-year, 468 match campaign in the top flight of non-league football came to an end at the end of April and now the Stonebridge Road outfit must plan for a lower level of football.

But the club can at least now look forward to playing Kent derbies next season with Bromley, Dartford, Dover Athletic and Welling United in Blue Square South next season.

A club statement issued on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk said: “Chairman Duncan Holt confirmed that talks had been held with Liam Daish to reduce the management budget to levels more suitable going forward while still keeping all of the club's backroom staff in place.

“MyFC members will over the next few days be asked to consider a choice between full-time and part-time status, to extend Liam Daish's contract into 2011 and to agree the season budget.”

The club have yet issued detail of which players have stayed - or left - the club and only two away pre-season friendlies have been confirmed, against Aveley (13 July) and Chatham Town (21 July).

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day continues with his squad building with the news that goalkeeper Charlie Mitten, who made 46 appearances last season, has agreed non-contract terms to remain at Park View Road next season.

Loui Fazakerley has returned from holiday and will finally pen a new deal next week and midfielder Dean Cracknell, who scored 7 goals in 20 games last season, will remain at the club on non-contract terms.

The Margate Independent Supporters Association (MISA) held their Annual General Meeting at Harstdown Park last Thursday evening, with a good number of supporters in attendance.

It was revealed that that MISA had donated £24,291 to Margate Football Club during the 2009/2010 season; up from £18,740 the previous year.

The increase was mainly due to the success of the Goalden Gate SUPERDRAW which contributed £18,228 in its own right; a massive increase from £5,174 in the previous season.

MISA Chairman Tom McKenna made special mention of Graeme Poyser - who recently became the club’s Commercial Manager - for his sterling work on the Goalden Gate SUPERDRAW where he has recruited over 60 new members.

The Chairman and committee were elected en masse as there were no other nominations.

Special mentions also went to John Parker and Harvey Lockwood for all their hard work on production of the excellent Blues News which will continue next season at an increased price of £1.50 per copy, which was agreed by all attendees to be good value.

Director Cliff Egan thanked the Committee on behalf of the Board for their support and financial commitment for the benefit of Margate Football Club. Without them, the club could not function at the level it does.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley hopes on the field preparations for next season's return to the Ryman Premier League will be finalised next week, writes Tom Marchant.

Seven of the Seasiders young squad have already put pen to paper; Jack Delo, Josh Vincent, Frankie Chappell, Liam Friend, Liam Dickson, Josh Burchell and James Everitt have all committed themselves to the Club for next season.

Cugley has made offers to the remainder of the squad and expects to hear early next week about who intends to stay at Cheriton Road.

One player who won't feature next season is non league legend Jimmy Jackson, who has been forced to retire due to knee problems.

The majestic midfield maestro is set to undergo two knee operations in September in order to avoid long term damage which has unfortunately brought a premature end to an unbelievable career in non league football.

The Folkestone manager told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk: “We're very disappointed to be losing Jacko and I think he is equally disappointed at being forced to stop playing the game.

“It's a massive loss and I know he was hoping to play one more year in the Premier, where his experience would've been so important for us. He has been a great servant to the Club over the last two seasons and a good person to have around.

“I think he knew his incredible career was coming to an end but when the season ended and he was suffering with a knee problem, he had it checked out as a routine matter and I think to get the news he did following that was a big shock.

“If he'd carried on it could've left him with serious problems later which would've affected his work. I'm sure it won't be the last we see of him at Folkestone and I'm sure he'll come down to watch some games where he will be very welcome by everyone at the Football Club”.

Once the manager knows who intends to remain at Cheriton Road next season, potential new signings can be looked at although he warned there won't be many new faces in August.

“The Chairman intends to run a tight ship which is fair enough and we have the CVA that needs to be paid too,” said Cugley.

“Once I know who is staying I will be making calls and seeing who is about, but we won't be spending big money and signing people all over the place.

“Jimmy Dryden is also set for a scan this week so we will be looking to see the outcome of that so there could be another player there.

“We will be running a small squad again though and we're going to have to all pull together and we'll go out and do our best and enjoy the Premier.”

ASHFORD TOWN have bolstered their current squad for next season’s promotion push with the capture of Folkestone Invicta striker Peter Williams.

Meanwhile, local youngsters, Lawrence Harvey and Ronnie Dolan have both been offered contracts to remain at Homelands.

“Both local youngsters, who enjoy playing for their local club, Ronnie and Lawrence will hope to continue to produce displays that have caught the eye of many other clubs,” said a club statement.

SEVENOAKS TOWN chairman Tony Smart says he fully understands the reasons why Simon Jones decided to step down as manager after just over two years in the job.

Jones and assistant manager Joe Little have both decided they couldn't continue for business and personal reasons.

Jones has a high profile job for a multi-million pound company involving extensive international travel, while Little's wife gave birth to twins a couple of months ago.

Mr Smart was due to start the search for a new manager on Thursday night at a meeting with vice chairman Richard Dalton, general manager Graham Logsdon and reserve team manager John James.

In a statement issued on www.sevenoakstownfc.org, he said: "Simon and I shook hands last week, and remain good friends. He and his wife Vicki are staying on the committee, and he is also bringing his under-14 Sunday side to Sevenoaks next season.

"I quite understand his position, and it has all been very amicable. He had the choice of managing on a Saturday in the Kent League, or continuing his involvement with the Sunday team, which his son plays for, and he decided on the latter."

Jones stepped up from reserve team manager two seasons ago, after a spell in temporary charge following the departure of Bobby Pittaway and Derek Moore.

KENT COUNTY League officials are confident that Vandanel will continue as the title sponsor next season.

A statement issued by the League said: “Vandanel Sport Ltd is about to be restructured with fresh investment and delighted to report the brand is still strong. It will be taken over by a new company called Vandanel Premier Ltd with its products still available from stock.

“The Kent County League board have already had preliminary discussion to agree a new deal to the benefit of all the member clubs so that business continues as normal.”

Meanwhile, there will be five new sides in the Kent County League next season with AFC Aussie, Lesters Elite and North Kent Aces all joining Division Two East with Bexley and Hildenborough Athletic joining Division Two West.

The Premier Division, which kicks off on the 14 August, will consist of sixteen clubs; Bearsted, Bly Spartans, Bridon Ropes, Canterbury City, Charlton Athletic Community, Cray Valley (PM), Fleet Leisure, Hollands & Blair, Lewisham Borough (Community), Phoenix sports, Rusthall, Snodland, Stansfeld O&B Club, Sutton Athletic, Tonbridge Invicta and Woodstock Park.

Former Ebbsfleet United chairman, John Moules, a former Referee’s Secretary for the League was elected as Vice-Chairman, at the Kent County League’s Annual General Meeting, which was held at UK Paper Club, Sittingbourne last Thursday.