Soccer Shorts: Glover turns his back on Ashford Town

Saturday 16th June 2007

www.kentishfootball.co.uk brings you news snippets from Ashford Town, Sittingbourne, Ebbsfleet United, Welling United, Tonbridge Angels, Folkestone Invicta and Dover Athletic.

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Talented player Simon Glover, 25, who pledged his future to Ryman League Division One South club Ashford Town last month, rejecting a move to Bromley, has changed his mind and has signed for the Blue Square Southern newcomers.

Ryman League Division One South club Sittingbourne are looking for a new club sponsor.

A statement issued by the Bourne Park club said: “This is a real chance for your company to get brand awareness, as the shirt logo will be seen on local Swale and Medway newspapers as well as the club website.”

Anyone interested should visit www.sittingbournefc.co.uk and click on the “Contact us” button.

Blue Square Premier club Ebbsfleet United have a vacancy for the position of Ground Safety Office. This is a part-time position and the salary is negotiable.

Candidates should have experience of stadium safety management and would ideally have completed a training course in Football Management and Administration (IFMA).

Candidates must be qualified as a minimum to NVQ Level 2 Safety Officer. First aid and basic fire awareness training is also required.

Applicants should be made in writing or via email to:
Mr Jason Botley, Ebbsfleet United Football Club, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN

Email:  jobs@ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Welling United have confirmed the news that the Blue Square Southern club will have a reserve team next season, playing in the Capital League.

The Wings, whose new first team manager is Neil Smith, just need to confirm a suitable ground for their second string to play, which the club are close to finalising.

The club also look set to have a Football Conference Youth League side, an initiative linked with education.

Ryman Premier League outfit Tonbridge Angels are the only Kent side to have been elected into the new 12-team Ryman League Youth Division.

AFC Wimbledon, Burgess Hill Town, Carshalton Athletic, Croydon Athletic, Horsham, Horsham YMCA, Kingstonian, Leatherhead, Staines Town, Tooting & Mitcham United and Worthing will be their opponents.

Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley has vowed to bring more new faces to the Ryman Premier League club after bring in two new players last week.

Right-back Dave Piper who  was signed from Blue Square Southern outfit Bognor Regis Town, was followed by Ryan Briggs, 25, a midfielder, who was recently released by Ryman League Division One South side Dartford.

“I’d heard that Ryan wasn’t staying at Dartford and I contacted him and he came down (last) Tuesday and he was enthusiastic to join the club,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“I’ve seen him play before and he’s performed well and I think he can give a depth to our squad.

Cugley, whose preparing for his eleventh season at the club, added: “We didn’t play enough football through the midfield last year and we were lumping the ball forward too much and on a better pitch, which we will have, we need decent midfielders on the ball who are going to create things.

“He didn’t really get a chance at Dartford last season as they were recruiting a lot of new players and it was difficult for a lot of their existing ones.

“He has still got the potential and he’s going to be with us right through pre-season and I really want him to perform in the pre-season games and he could turn out to be a good player for us.”

On next season’s preparations, Cugley said: “I sent out 22 letters to all the players and the youth team notifying them of when pre-season starts on June 30th.

“I have been a bit disappointed in the sense that I haven’t brought in all the players I’ve wanted to bring in, so we’re going to have a large group in the pre-season and a lot of players are going to have to show me why they deserve to be in the team.

“I’m still talking to a young centre half, a goalkeeper, a midfielder and a striker and I hope to bring in a few more players by the end of the weekend.

“I want to get a big enough squad in place by the time pre-season training starts and we can work from there.”

Meanwhile, the supporters club are meeting at Stripes on Wednesday, 20th June from 7:30pm.

“We will be discussing the sponsor a player scheme and other fund raising issues,” said spokesman Chris Arnold.

“Following an approach by fans to the supporters club chairman, we are trying to set up a buy a share in a player for next season.

“Shares cost £1 a week, for 38 weeks, each. We hope to sell 200 and this is open to all fans and businesses alike.

“The supporters club hope someone will take this project on and run it for them so volunteers are welcome.

“Each month, each share will go into a draw to win tickets etc - and we have sold at least 15 shares.”

Shane Hamshare has been allowed to go to the United States this pre-season to take up a coaching opportunity, writes Justin Allen.

The Dover Athletic midfielder will not be available for selection during pre-season - and the out-of-contract player will sit down to see if he figures in Andy Hessenthaler’s first-team plans when he returns.

“Shane has his heart set on coaching and we’re not going to stand in his way,” chairman Jim Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com.

Meanwhile, the club will be releasing their full confirmed pre-season friendly schedule on Monday.

Glen Knight is set to be released from his contract within the next seven days. The goalkeeper wants to leave due to work commitments and his release will be confirmed once the relevant documents have been signed.

Mr Parmenter added: “We wish Glen the best of luck - and than him for his services last season.”

An American goalkeeper has been granted a trial as the Whites player-boss is continuing to look at strengthening every position.

Dover Athletic’s Ryman League Division One South rivals Cray Wanderers are favourites to land the former Welling United stopper.