Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Herne Bay chairman condemns Norton's ale house tactics
Friday 17th September 2010
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EBBSFLEET UNITED have released striker Joe Benjamin, 19. The registration of the former Northampton Town forward, who was with the Fleet on a non-contract basis, has been cancelled by mutual consent.
Benjamin made five appearances for the Fleet, four from the bench, after signing following summer trials. He also had trials at Dover and Farnborough in pre-season.
WELLING UNITED attended a Football Conference Hearing yesterday, to face a misconduct charge relating to its financial affairs, and in connection with the outstanding HMRC debt.
The Park View Road club admitted the misconduct charge, and the Hearing was convened to consider the mitigating circumstances submitted on behalf of the club by their solicitors.
The Football Conference held that the appropriate sanction was an immediate deduction of 5 points, together with a suspended £5,000 fine. Save for the suspended fine, the Conference accepted that no other financial sanction would be appropriate.
Commenting on the admitted misconduct charge and the points deduction, Barrie Hobbins said in a statement, issued to www.wellingunited.com: "The club admitted that as a result of placing reliance on promised investment throughout the 2009/2010 season, and again during pre-season for this campaign, it not only fell behind on its HMRC liabilities but submitted inaccurate financial returns to the Football Conference.
“As soon as it became evident that the promised investment would not materialise, we made the Football Conference fully aware of the position and admitted the charges that were laid against us. We are sorry that we got ourselves into this position, despite our best intentions at all times.
“As to whether the deduction of 5 points is a proportionate and reasonable sanction in the circumstances, we will need to reflect and take advice from our lawyers.
“We have been advised as to our right of appeal and the relevant timings of that. We are obviously hugely disappointed to receive a points deduction of any number, but need a period of reflection."
More positively, the Football Conference have been persuaded to permit the Club to re-register Loick Pires and Lee Clarke and the solidarity monies will be released in order to offset against the HMRC petition debt.
Mr Hobbins said: "We are at least pleased that, after representations made on our behalf by our solicitors Leathes Prior, that it has been accepted that we should be allowed to select from our contracted players and that Pires and Clarke will now be available to the manager for immediate selection.
“Also, the financial plight of the club is assisted by the reduction in the petition debt and we must now all focus our efforts on ensuring we are in a position to secure the club's survival before the 1st December 2010. Once again, we would like to thank the fabulous efforts of our supporters, players and all connected to the club during this difficult period."
The Wings, who welcome Woking to Park View Road tomorrow, have confirmed that Tommy Whitnell has departed the club.
The striker, who joined from Cray Wanderers, who scored 15 goals last season has left in search of regular first team football.
CRAY WANDERERS have switched their FA Youth Cup tie with Ebbsfleet United from Hayes Lane to Stonebridge Road next Wednesday, 22 September (7:30pm).
A statement issued on www.craywands.co.uk said: “The game has now been switched to the Fleet’s ground as it clashes with Bromley’s home match in the same competition on the same evening.
“As it’s still classed as the Academy’s home game there will be a £2 per person entrance fee. Cray supporters are used to go along to Stonebridge Road and cheer our boys on.”
MARGATE have appointed Phil Fennell as Sport in the Community Programme Manager.
A club statement issued on www.margate-fc.com said: “Phil is already well known to many Margate supporters as manager of the reserves. He is tasked with building on the work of predecessor Aaron Perry and an early focus will be the club’s relationship with local schools.
First team manager, Iain O’Connell could have a fully fit squad to select from for the first time this season. Sam Groombridge returned to action at Binfield in the FA Cup, and Craig Cloke and Darren Marsden could come back into contention for a starting place against Wealdstone at Hartsdown Park tomorrow.
That would probably mean a return to the technical area for assistant manager John Keister.
Curtis Robinson is available again having served his one match suspension.
A win could take Gate up as high as 10th if other results went their way, and would represent their first trio of wins in succession since January 2008.
RAMSGATE have re-arranged their home game with Sittingbourne for Saturday 25th September (3pm). Both sides were due to play the game next April but have been given the go-ahead to switch the Ryman League Division One South clash due to both club’s early FA Cup exits.
CHATHAM TOWN boss Paul Foley says supporters should not judge his side during this part of the season - as he prepares for their trip to Bognor Regis Town tomorrow.
The Medway side were defeated by Ramsgate in midweek and Foley told www.chathamtownfc.net: “We are now six games in to the season and having won 3 from 4 which was very good we are now 3 from 6 which is, well not disastrous!
“The performances in the last game at Ramsgate was nowhere near good enough. We had our moments but on the whole it was poor and we must improve and we will.
“We won't have people disappearing in matches as we had on Tuesday against a Ramsgate side that were not much better to be honest, they just had a little bit more character on the night. I said the same to Jim (Ward, the Ramsgate manager) at the whistle, I thought it was a shocking game....he thought it was alright....funny that!
“The game at Sittingbourne was a different story because of the sending off but there were still some signs of people lacking a little when the muck and bullets start to fly and the going gets tough.
“We won't tolerate that and when you go away and have a think about it as we all did on Wednesday my conclusion is you always learn much more from a defeat or two. Winning can often cover up problems, that's not to say I wouldn't rather win games by being lucky but a defeat that tells you a bit more about your players and that gives me plenty of info to work with.
“I love it when things go against you, always have and always will, as a player and now as a manager. I love a scrap basically! Year on year you have to improve and I am confident we will do the same this year.
“As a comparison against our first six games last year at VCD we are doing much better with 9 points, around November we were 3rd bottom, went on a great run up to 5th and finished up 7th. All because we got better and better as the season went on. Don't expect the side that we finish with to look exactly the same, it will be similar but we will continue to improve where required.
“Saturday's game against Bognor is a classic example of the type of game you want to have. They are doing well, will have a decent crowd and hopefully a decent pitch. I can guarantee the lads that take to the field on Saturday.
“Keep the faith and keep on supporting the lads, judge us come January and then again in May, not September.”
SITTINGBOURNE supporters are holding an Extraordinary Meeting next Thursday, 23 September to decide whether to wind-up the supporters club, due to a lack of members.
Stuart Charlesworth, the acting chairman of Sittingbourne Supporters Association, has contacted supporters of the Ryman League Division One South club to come forward at next week’s meeting.
He said: “It is with regret that I write regarding the future of the Sittingbourne Football Club Supporters
Association (Supporters Club).
“In May at the Supporters Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) we combined the occasion with an
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The EGM was called to review the requirement for and
purpose of the Supporters Club due to falling membership numbers and event attendances.
“The EGM resulted in a vote, the overwhelming response of which was for the club to continue
under a revised constitution. The role of revising the constitution would be carried out by the
committee and offered for approval at a future EGM.
“During the AGM that followed, a call was made for volunteers to stand as committee members,
none were forthcoming. At this point, quorum was being met by the incumbent committee so, whilst
disappointing, this result did not create a problem.
“Following the AGM however, a resignation from a committee member has been received. This now
creates an issue, as we no longer meet the number of committee members required to maintain
quorum.
“Due to this, the committee is unable to function as no voting can be carried out. We are
therefore now no longer in a position to be able to revise the constitution.
“Those remaining members of the committee now feel that it is appropriate to officially stand down.
This will enable supporters of Sittingbourne Football Club to form a new committee. Resigning committee members may well stand again but a minimum of seven committee members must be elected under the current
constitution.
“Should a committee not be formed then the resigning committee will oversee the winding-up of the
Supporters Club.
“The resigning committee therefore must call another EGM to elect a new committee or formalise
the procedure for the winding-up process. The EGM will take place on Thursday 23 September at
8:15pm in The Clubhouse and we urge as many supporters of Sittingbourne Football Club to attend as possible.
“The new season is the time for renewals for the Supporters Club so currently only those with five year
memberships are officially members.
“If you want Sittingbourne Football Club to continue to have a Supporters Club then please come along to show your
support and, where possible, become actively involved.”
BECKENHAM TOWN have brought forward their Safety Net Associates Kent League derby against Bromley based side Holmesdale to next Tuesday, 21 September. The Eden Park Avenue clash will kick-off at 7:30pm.
FISHER are welcoming Millwall fans to cheer on the side against Norton Sports on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
After the success of Non-League Day and the offer of half-prize entry to Millwall season ticket holders two weeks ago the Kent League club would like to extend the offer to Millwall season ticket holders for Sunday’s FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie against league rivals Norton Sports.
Club secretary Joe Arif told www.fisherfc.co.uk: “Sunday 5th September saw a bumper crowd of 160 attend the FA Vase First Round qualifier with Ringwood Town and the club are hoping for a similar crowd in the next round against Norton Sports on Sunday in a bid to help raise the profile of the club and provide a timely boost to the clubs finances through the gate.”
Millwall adult season ticket holders can gain entry for £3 (usual price is £6). Over 60s and 16-21’s entry is £2 (usually £4) and under 16’s with a Millwall season ticket gain completely free entry if accompanied by one paying adult or senior.
HERNE BAY chairman John Bathurst slammed the antics of tenants Norton Sports during last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Winch’s Field, where two players were red-carded.
Mr Bahurst, who writes the club’s reports on the club’s website www.hernebayfc.net said: “I apologise for this not being the normal football report, but this took the beautiful game turning it into a bruising contest, resulting in eight yellow cards and two red.
“Norton’s game plan was to stop Bay playing football and right from the start the tackles flew in. Bay were not all innocent in this but I am afraid we allowed ourselves to drop to Norton’s level of ale house tactics.”
And after the game’s two goals, Mr Bathurst had this to say, “That I am afraid is where the football stopped and the bad tackles and foul and abusive language started.
“I will not say anything about the officials as it would be wrong to do so, but I will say the failure to control the technical area allowed this game to deteriorate into a farce. 4 and 5 people standing in the visitors technical area continually hurling abuse at the officials and nothing being done to prevent this. Players were being urged on to get stuck into the opposition in an attempt to wind them up. This tactic eventually succeeding when (Herne Bay striker) Stuart King was dismissed for trying to get his marker to remove his grasp on his arm and waist.
“The abuse from the bench and the supporters was not only directed at the officials but also me and the vice Chairman, particularly when their bench was asked to refrain from using the foul and abusive language.
“What the league’s sponsors and the two representatives from the Northern League thought of this is anybodies guess!.
“It certainly was not a good advert for Kent Football! I will not comment on the game any further as it will be construed as sour grapes.
“In the Clubhouse after the game Kevin James asked their (manager) Ben Taylor to apologise for his language but he refused. I was told football is a man’s game and this is part and parcel of it. I do not accept that and I certainly do not want this to become commonplace at our ground.”
SEVENOAKS TOWN’S Ollie Palmer wasted no time getting himself on the scoresheet after arriving at the club on a month's loan from Woking.
The 18-year old striker is a member of the Surrey club's Academy and scored twice on his debut against Holmesdale.
He has an excellent scoring record at youth and reserve level, and made his first team debut for the Blue Square Bet South side at Boreham Wood last month. He has also been selected for the England Colleges National Team in 2010.
Sevenoaks Town boss Keith Levett told www.sevenoakstownfc.org : "He did well on Saturday, but against Beckenham the other night I thought he lacked a little bit of sharpness.
"We were looking for a target man, somebody who is big and strong, who when the ball goes into him it sticks, so we can play off him and he gives us that."
In other news from Greatness Park, defender James Russell has joined the club from Chipstead, Ellis Green is another new signing and former Welling youth team player Loui Dean has also been added to the squad.
Meanwhile, Long serving defender Toby Webb has made himself unavailable due to work and other commitments.
Levett said: “He told me if things changed he would reconsider, and I said fine. He is a good player, and I like him. We are going to give Brandon James a run in the reserves, and Cashen Henry has got a hamstring injury."
TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin was clearly upset after his side were defeated 2-0 at home to Greenwich Borough in midweek.
Peter Afolayan scored both goals for Steve Firkins’ side as Boro climbed to the top of the Safety Net Associates Kent League table - with £35 in the bank.
Tunbridge Wells have still not scored a goal in their first three league games and Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk: “I'm obviously disappointed with this performance. We warned the players that we needed to recreate the intensity and the desire that they have had in the FA Cup games, but that was always going to be difficult.
"Culverden on a wet Tuesday night when there is Champions' League football on the TV is a very quiet place, and Greenwich took full advantage of that. Fair play to them - they kept the ball very well.”
East Preston come to Culverden Stadium tomorrow in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase and Larkin added: “This coming Saturday gives us a chance to get a reaction from the players. They have all been outstanding for the last five weeks, so one game won't change the belief Brad Sandeman and I have in them. A reaction against East Preston is what we need.”
DARTFORD’S Goalkeeping School has first graduate after only 5 weeks.
One student of the newly formed Dartford Goalkeeping School has passed a trial with Premier League side Arsenal.
Liam Northwood, son of current Herne Bay goalkeeper Steve undertook a trial with the Gunners last Friday and was accepted. With potential keepers being watched by Brentford and West Ham, the future of Dartford Goalkeeping School looks promising.
Lead goalkeeping coach John Macrae said: “5 weeks ago, we were really entering the unknown with regards to the amount of goalkeepers we were going to be coaching, but this week, we had 26 young goalkeepers training with us, along with four qualified coaches. The one and a half hour session flew by and the students all learned, and most importantly, enjoyed themselves – isn’t that what football is all about?
“There’s an opportunity here for goalkeepers at clubs without specialist training, and there’s real potential to find some ‘rough diamonds’ in the local area.
“As Dartford FC is a community club, we’re aiming to encompass all in the area and it’s brilliant that the Goalkeeping School is having such success from an early point. We’re aiming to put in place something that will be of benefit to the students, their clubs and the community on a whole.”
The aim of Dartford Goalkeeping School is for boys and girls, between the ages of 8 and 16 years of age, to learn how to be a goalkeeper, as well as having fun! With trained goalkeepers with playing experience, your child could be having fun and learning about goalkeeping.
Cost is £6 per session.
For more information, please telephone John Macrae on 07729 170687 or email him at macrae05@tiscali.co.uk
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