Soccer Shorts: Kingstonian sign striker Nathaniel Pinney from Tonbridge Angels

CRAY WANDERERS have confirmed that ten players from last season’s squad have committed themselves to the club for the new season.

The Wands suffered only their second relegation in their illustrious history when they finished rooted to the foot of the Ryman Premier League season last time out.

Manager Keith Bird has unveiled that Darren Behcet, Nic Taylor, Nathan Simpson, Adrian Stone, Richard Monan, Alex Stavrinou, Gary Beckett, Dmitir Larin, Jordan Bird and Carlos Talbot have remained at Hayes Lane.

The club confirmed that former Hythe Town skipper Danny Lye is their first summer signing.

“Some players are currently on holiday and we are also in discussions with some other new signings so details of these will follow shortly,” said a brief statement on their club website.

DEAL TOWN are searching for a new manager after Paul Murray has left to join Dean Hill’s management team at Ryman League Division One South Ramsgate.

To apply please send your CV and references to the club by email to:
dealtownfcsecretary@hotmail.co.uk.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says the feeling around the club is as positive as it’s ever been - despite the need to sort out a few longer term problems.

Arrangements are well in hand to offset the loss of the main seating stand following storm damage midway through last season while work on the pitch and around the ground is also progressing well.

“The pitch is looking great and things could hardly be going better,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk.

“Darren Smith’s return (from Leatherhead) offsets Simon Austin’s departure (to manage Erith Town), but I’m still talking to two or three players about joining us.

“I’d like a couple more forwards if we can get them - we need someone to replace Johan (Ter Horst, now with Hull City).

“I’m a great believer that you need as many forwards as you can get in this division. It’s not desperate as we’ve still got Boothy (Paul Booth), Luch (Dane Luchford) and Ratty (James Everitt) of course, but I’d like a bit more competition for places up front.

“Overall, everything is looking very positive and I’m hoping we may be able to run with a bigger squad this coming season.”

Cugley guided the club to runners-up spot in Ryman League Division One South last season and after beating Hastings United in the play-off semi-finals they were denied promotion after losing to Leatherhead on penalties at Cheriton Road.

LORDSWOOD have unveiled Bob Reardon has left Whitstable Town to become Jason Lillis’ assistant manager.

Lillis has confirmed that Gary Cook remains as the club’s first-team player coach and Ben Hilden keeps his role as reserve team manager with Tyler Wilkins his assistant.

Vince Luckhurst is the goalkeeper coach.

Physio Donna Walker has left Whitstable Town today and has returned to the Medway club.

Lillis said: “Steve Hafner has joined from Whitstable Town and will be team captain.  Peter Huggens is club captain.

"Also there has been some major signings and preparation is going well on and off the field.”

LYDD TOWN reserves won the Weald of Kent Charity Cup Junior Section Cup Final with a 5-0 home win over Borden Village reserves today.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm continues his re-building by adding a couple of new faces ahead of the club’s Ryman Premier League return.

The Angels were relegated on Easter Monday after losing 7-1 at Chelmsford City, which ended their three-year spell in Conference South.

Tommy Warrilow parted company with the club and former Sutton United coach McKimm, 38, who alongside Paul Doswell saw the Surrey side finish runners-up in Conference South last season.

Dee Okojie, 26, a wide midfielder who can operate on either flank, has put pen to paper to sign for the club.

His previous clubs were Histon, Hastings United and Kingstonian, where he helped the K’s finish runners-up in the Ryman Premier League last season.

McKimm told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “Dee comes to us with first-hand knowledge of the league we shall be playing in this season and together with his natural ability, he will be a huge asset to the team.”

Central midfielder, Lee Carey, 27, has returned to Longmead Stadium.

Carey captained the Hastings United side that faced Middlesbrough in The FA Cup Third Round in January 2013.  Hastings’ goal was scored by striker Bradley Goldberg, who netted 24 goals for Bromley last season.

Tonbridge supporters will have fond memories of Carey’s loan spell with the club a few seasons ago when he was attached to Brighton & Hove Albion.

McKimm added: “I’m very pleased to have obtained the services of Lee.  He will bring strength and bite to the centre of midfield and is already familiar with the Longmead set-up.”

Meanwhile, striker Nathaniel Pinney, 23, has left the club to sign for their Ryman Premier League rivals Kingstonian.

Tommy Williams is the new man in charge at Kingsmeadow after replacing Alan Dowson in the hot-seat and he told his club’s website: “Nathaniel is a player who I know well. He is a proven goalscorer and I’m delighted to have him here.”

WELLING UNITED have called upon fans to offer accommodation for their summer signings.

Manager Jamie Day has been busy during the off-season to strengthen his squad for their second Conference Premier campaign, which kicks off on 9 August.

A club statement said: “As the close season is now upon us the club and in particular the team management will obviously be turning their attention to squad strengthening as we begin our preparations for another season of Conference Premier Football. Thankfully a number of exciting signings have already been made.

“It almost goes without saying that there will be times where a player’s remuneration expectations / requirements are beyond that which our budget structure permits and one problem that a club such as ours faces is that it is difficult to be able to recruit players who do not already live within commutable distance to Welling.

“Clubs with larger budgets are able to offer relocation allowances, or simply wages high enough that allow a player to afford temporary accommodation.

“The club do wish, from time to time, to be able to consider recruiting a player from further afield (perhaps even abroad) and we are therefore enquiring to all of our wonderful, loyal fans to see if they (or if they know of anyone) who would be willing to provide accommodation/lodging for a player during the football season.

“If we were able to find one or two such accommodation options, it would enable the club to consider recruiting a player from further afield which may just increase the calibre of whom could be signed.”

The club can be contacted on 0208 301 1196 or alternatively via email info@wellingunited.com  if anyone can assist.

WHITSTABLE TOWN are inviting supporters to a meet-the-manager and chairman night at The Belmont on Monday 9 June (8pm).

The Oystermen are under new management with Jim and Danny Ward in charge of the club following Nicky Southall’s resignation.