Soccer Shorts: Hythe Town unveil Tim Dixon as their new boss

APM CONTRAST manager Kris Browning has offered his congratulations to Sheppey & Sheerness United manager Kevin Hake on their promotion to the Kent Invicta League.

Metrogas clinched the Haart of Kent County League Premier Division title with 65 points from 28 games, finishing one point clear of Hake’s side.

The Ites completed their campaign with a comfortable 7-0 home win over an Erith 147 Sports side that arrived on the island with only ten players and struggled to cope in the heat.

Browning’s side, however, missed out on promotion as the Kent Invicta League have accepted only one side from the league below and the Paperboys finished in third-place with 61 points.

Browning said: “I’m gutted to miss out on promotion to the Kent Invicta but wish Kevin Hake and Sheppey United all the best.  The best team went up.”

ASHFORD UNITED have lost the services of free-scoring midfielder Dave Cook, 30, who has opted to sigh for Ryman League Division One South side Hastings United.

BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer says the club may have to enter less cup competitions next season.

The club won the Kent Senior Trophy as well as the Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup last season.

Jason Huntley’s side will play in the Kent Senior Cup last season – which is reward for the Trophy winners – and last season played in the Kent, London and Surrey Senior Cups – although that might change next season.

Beckenham Town played in 21 cup games last season and Mr Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk: “It’s a really difficult decision; we would be happy to play in them all, but realistically you need to consider what happened last season with the weather, which is increasingly playing a part.

“The constant rain last season and snow the previous year were a fixture nightmare. We are not pressed to make any immediate decision so we will have to wait and see!”

BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg is delighted to confirm that he has secured inspirational skipper Rob Swaine, 26, on contract ahead of the new season.

The former Billericay Town central defender played a major role in the Ravens finishing in third-place in the Conference South last season – the club’s highest ever placing in the division.

Swaine scooped both supporters and club player-of-the-year awards at Hayes Lane.

Goldberg told www.bromleyfc.net: “I’m pleased to announce that Rob Swaine has signed a new contract with the club for the forthcoming 2014/15 season.

“With our captain in place we are now confident that we can secure the rest of the backbone of our side from last season to ensure that we continue to build on last season’s campaign and enjoy another season of progress.”

Swaine added: “I’m absolutely over the moon!  I had a great season just gone and enjoyed every minute of it.

“Despite other sides coming in for me, including a couple from the Conference Premier, I’m staying loyal as the ambition shown by the manager Mark Goldberg and the directors along with the support from the fans both home and away means it’s the right decision for me.”

CORINTHIAN have unveiled James Collins, 31, as their new manager tonight.

He takes over from Matt Longhurst, 33, who quit the club hours after their 2-0 defeat to Beckenham Town in the Southern Counties East Football League Cup Final on 5 May, before taking charge of Erith & Belvedere a couple of days later.

Former Erith Town manager Collins, enjoyed a successful season in charge of Sutton Athletic, where he guided the Hextable-based club to third-place in the Kent Invicta League table as well as completing a cup double.

They beat Fleet Leisure 3-0 to win the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy Final before beating Phoenix Sports’ Suburban League side 2-1 to win the Hospitals Charity Cup.

A club statement posted on twitter said: “The Hoops would initially like to thank the impressive list of applicants who applied for the first team manager’s role over the past few weeks.”

CRAY VALLEY have unveiled their new management team for the new season.

Paul Gross, 31, who was unveiled as Steve Chapman’s successor in April, has appointed Martin Barnard as his assistant manager after a season away at Erith & Belvedere, who finished bottom of the table in their only season in the Ryman League.

Joining the club from Kent Invicta League side Bridon Ropes are Daniel Frost (first team coach) and John Waurzeski (goalkeeping coach).

Emily Sawyer remains as club physio whilst Chapman’s right-hand man Mark Edwards remains at the club as assistant coach.

Joe Ford, meanwhile, who left Erith & Belvedere last October when his dad Martin was sacked by the club as joint first-team manager, will manage the club’s under 18s side next season.

A club statement said: “We look forward to seeing the new team in action and we’ll have more details about the new staff as the close season progresses.”

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has added six Academy players to his first team squad.

The Darts are preparing for life back in Conference South after their two-year spell in the top flight of non-league football came to an end last month.

Becka-Kah (Kaka) Dembele, Bode Anidugbe, Ebrima Adams, Ronnie Vint, Kieran Scantlebury and Femi Akinwainde have all been added to Burman’s squad.

All six players played for the club in their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in The FA Youth Cup Third Round in December 2013.

Chelsea went on to lift the trophy for a fifth time in their history with a 7-6 aggregate victory over their west London rivals Fulham.

Burman told www.dartfordfconline.com: “These players have all been with the Academy for the past two seasons, with some progressing through from our youth section and have been promoted to the first team squad.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have released three players after failing to gain promotion out of the Skrill South.

The Fleet finished in fourth-place in the table, defeated Bromley 4-1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, but fell at the final hurdle, losing 1-0 to Dover Athletic at Stonebridge Road.

Club skipper Paul Lorraine has departed as his work commitments have meant he is unable to fit in with the club’s new training regime from next season.

The central defender made more than 160 appearances for the club in his four-year spell, which included captaining the side to victory in the 2011 play-off final win over Farnborough.

Also leaving Stonebridge Road are out-of-contract pair Stacy Long, 29, and Osei Sankofa.

Central midfielder Long made over 150 appearances for the club in two spells, which included playing in the FA Trophy winning side in 2008.

Central defender Sankofa, 29, made 38 appearances in his only season at the club.

A club statement, published on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk said: “All three players depart with the very best of wishes from all at Ebbsfleet United, having been fine servants of the club.

“We would like to wish them the very best in where ever their careers take them next.

“Talks are meanwhile ongoing with other members of the Ebbsfleet squad as well as potential transfer targets as manager Steve Brown continues to shape his squad for the forthcoming season’s assault on Conference South.”

FAVERSHAM Strike Force manager John Goodwin says he’s not happy with the manner that his side finished runners-up in their inaugural Haart of Kent County League Division Two East campaign.

The team finished their campaign with 47 points from 20 games, finishing two points behind East Kent College.

Goodwin explained: “East Kent College have been awarded the points against Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers to win the league.

“It was a game they had to win and against a side they lost against only two weeks ago.

“We was not even told about it until looking at the league table yesterday.

“Obviously we are not happy about this!!”

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley has unveiled the return of former captain Darren Smith.

Smith, who led Leatherhead into the Ryman Premier League at Folkestone Invicta’s expense in that memorable Ryman League Division One South play-off final at the end of the season – is to swap sides again.

Cugley, fresh back from the club’s trip to Magaluf told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “Smithy hung around talking after the final and said he’d love to come back, if we wanted him.

“I was disappointed to see him go last summer and his departure was one of the reasons it took us a while to get going last season.

“He’s such a fit lad and he loves it here while we all know what a good player he still is.

“I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Cugley, meanwhile, expects to have all of last season’s squad – except Hull City bound Johan Ter Horst and Simon Austin, the new manager of Southern Counties East Football League side Erith Town – at the club again next season.

FLEET LEISURE have appointed Grant Duff, 24, as their new manager.

Duff, who has been at the club for one year, was named as Lee Richmond’s successor on 15 May.

Richmond guided the club to their highest ever finish – top four in the Kent Invicta League – and runners-up in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta Challenge Trophy Final, losing 3-0 to Sutton Athletic – but was sacked last Tuesday, 13 May.

Duffy said: “I’m grateful for the chairman to give me such a good opportunity.  I’ve been coaching for six years. I’m young, ambitious and eager to impress.”

HOLLANDS & BLAIR have been denied promotion into the Southern Counties East Football League because they do not have floodlights at their ground at Star Meadow.

The Gillingham based club issued a club statement: “The FA have decided the club will not be promoted from the Kent Invicta League at this time – despite winning the title by a ten point margin.  The reason being that the floodlights are not in place.

“However, the club are now in talks with various people in the hope of making an appeal against the decision.”

HYTHE TOWN are delighted to unveil former Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon, 48, as their new first team manager tonight.

A club statement, which was published on the club’s website www.hythetownfc.co.uk said: “Tim’s appointment follows hot on the heels of the announcement of Trevor Kennett as new chairman, as a new era begins at Reachfields Stadium.

“Tim was chosen from a high quality shortlist, established after the club received over twenty applications for the vacant managerial position at Reachfields.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the role, his previous position being first team manager at local Ryman South rivals, Ramsgate.”

Darren Beale, who worked with Dixon at Southwood Stadium, will be a part of the management team at Hythe Town next season.

The statement added: “We would like to take this opportunity to both congratulate and welcome Tim and Darren to the club as we look towards an exciting new future at Hythe Town FC.” 

LYDD TOWN manager Dave Smith reflects on the club’s highest ever finish in their history.

The Lydders finished as runners-up in the Kent Invicta League last season, finishing ten points behind champions Hollands & Blair.

“A great season for the club as we recorded our highest ever finish in a league and continued our improvement as we pushed for promotion,” Smith told www.lyddtownfc.co.uk.

“This was our third season in the Kent Invicta League and after finishing in 12^th spot the first season, we improved to sixth and now comfortably secured the runners-up this time out.

“To add to this seasons achievements we ended up with the best goals against record, only conceding 20 goals in our 28 games and went the season unbeaten at home in the league and only lost two matches in the league all season.

“Hollands & Blair were the deserved winners of the league as their ability to not only to win games but win them by large margins always seemed to keep them one step in front of us.”

Smith added: “The players themselves all deserve tremendous credit as their commitment and attitude has been first class and to be honest made my life as a manager fairly easy.

“We did have a large squad and added players along the way and lost others but this is how football is and it’s the way I manage as I will always look to improve on what I have and look towards the future.”

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Jay Saunders says he cannot compete with the financial muscle of one of their Ryman Premier League rivals.

The Stones have lost striker Zac Attwood, 25, who was offered a deal to stay at Maidstone United next season – after scoring 24 goals last season – but has opted to join Terry Brown at Margate.

Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk:  “We came close to holding on to Zac for next season but Margate made him an offer he just couldn’t refuse.

“It’s disappointing because I would have loved to have him here but I couldn’t compete with what they’re paying out.  I can’t him for taking the deal – it’s hard to turn down terms like that.”

Saunders said that he is now searching for another striker to join Frannie Collin and Jack Harris.

He added: “The timing of Zac’s departure gives me time to get someone else in well ahead of pre-season training and friendlies.  I’d already started looking and can now put in some calls.”

Saunders, meanwhile, has brought in Jamie Coyle, 30, from Leatherhead.

The UEFA A License holder, who can play in central defence or at right-back, takes up a dual role as player/coach.

Coyle has been number two to Richard Brady for the past three years – firstly at Sittingbourne and more recently at Leatherhead, where he helped the Surrey club to Ryman League Division One South play-off glory, with wins over Guernsey and Folkestone Invicta.

MARGATE manager Terry Brown has unveiled the signing of former Woking defender Brett Johnson, 28.

Central defender Johnson has joined up with Brown for the third time in his career after signing a one-year contract.

Brown signed Johnson from Ashford Town (Middlesex) whilst the boss at Aldershot Town and teamed up with the defender again at AFC Wimbledon.

Brown told www.margate-fc.co.uk:  “I have worked with Brett in the past at both Aldershot and AFC Wimbledon.

“Brett brings with him a wealth of experience and yet he is only 28.  He took us from the Ryman League to the Football League at AFC Wimbledon.

“I am delighted that Brett has agreed to join me on another journey, which will be epic.”

Brown has also unveiled the signings of midfielder Kane Wills, 25, from their Ryman League Premier League rivals Bognor Regis Town on a two-year deal.

Wills, who captained the Sussex coastal side to a third-place finish last season, also led his side out in Sunday’s Sussex Cup Final at Brighton which saw the Rocks lose 3-0 to Ryman League Division One South champions Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Brown said: “Kane has the attributes that an everyday modern football needs.

“The signing shows how far Margate Football Club has progressed over the past four months.

“This signing is outstanding as Kane is a talented footballer which just goes to show the ambition we have here at Margate.”

Brown has also snapped up striker Ryan Moss, 27, from Kingstonian.

Moss scored 25 goals in all competitions last season and also joins Margate on a two-year deal.

Brown added: “Ryan is a player that I have watched several times. He is a robust striker that has an eye for goal.

“Ryan has a significant presence as well as lots of pace and ability and I am delighted he is joining us.”

ROCHESTER UNITED have welcomed Jason Long (player/coach) to their backroom staff.  The Rede Court Road outfit also welcome Kristian Toone (functional movement specialist and strength coach) and sports physio Susan Ball.

VCD ATHLETIC manager Tony Russell says he is looking to strengthen his coaching team ahead of the new season.

The Crayford based club claimed the Ryman League Division One North title on a dramatic final day of the season.

Russell and his assistant manager Ray Powell are looking for extra bodies in the dug-out for their inaugural Ryman Premier League campaign.

Russell said: “Going into the new season one thing that me and Razor have spoken about is to try and lighten the work load for the forthcoming season, so we are looking to recruit some people to work alongside us.

“One being a goalkeeping coach, one being someone to go and watch games and players for us and give us that feedback.

“We are also looking to bring in a young coach who is looking for first team experience as we did this year with Nathan White and this was a great success.

“As people may know we are not a club with big finances but what we can offer is that they will be made welcome and they will be in with me, Razor and the team.

“As for the young coach that person will be exposed to every bit of coaching that me and Razor will do, in time will be able to put their ideas in to training sessions.

“I done thing previously with James Collins at Erith Town and also Nathan White last season and I’m sure they would both say that they enjoyed it and they came out the other end of that experience a better coach/manager.”

Collins, 31, went on to secure a third-place finish in the Kent Invicta League and cup double for Sutton Athletic in the season just ended in only season in charge of the Hextable based club.

Any interested parties should contact Tony on 07742 203 248.

WELLING UNITED can confirm that striker Kurtis Guthrie, 21, has signed for their Conference Premier rivals Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

He leaves Park View Road after 44 starts and 17 substitute appearances, while scoring eight goals.

“Guthrie was offered a new deal to stay at Park View Road but informed the club that he would be declining that offer and has since agreed terms with Forest Green,” said a club statement on www.wellingunitedfc.com.  

“As a result, the two clubs have now agreed on a transfer fee as the Wings were entitled to compensation with the player under 24 years of age.”