Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Liam Daish signs two-year contract extension to stay at Stonebridge Road
DOVER ATHLETIC are pleased to announce that Billy Bricknell, Barry Cogan, Shane Huke and Steven Watt agreed new deals with the club on Wednesday.
Manager Nicky Forster now has nine players signed on contract, with more to follow soon, as he starts to mould a revamped squad for his first full season in charge at Crabble.
Bricknell, Cogan and Huke made more than 30 appearances each in 2011/12, while Watt is now coming back to full fitness following a long spell on the sidelines.
They join the five players who were already signed on contract: Terry Dixon, Lloyd Harrington, Sean Raggett, Ian Simpemba and Tom Wynter.
LIAM DIASH is set to become Ebbsfleet United’s longest serving manager after agreeing a two-year extension to his contract, the news arriving on the fourth anniversary of his side’s FA Trophy win at Wembley.
Daish joined the Fleet, then Gravesend & Northfleet, in February 2005, in succession to Andy Ford.
By signing a new contract with the club yesterday, Daish will become the Fleet’s longest serving manager on June 14 – day 2,682 – eclipsing Ford’s previous record tenure in the post.
Ebbsfleet director Jessica McQueen told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “This is undoubtedly our biggest signing for some time. Liam has proved time and again what a great manager he is and we are delighted that he has committed himself to the club for a further two years.
“His skill in identifying players to bring in, organising them, motivating them and creating successful teams is without question, but he has proved to be so much more than a football manager to this club. His presence is felt throughout Stonebridge Road and we welcome his experience and expertise in a range of areas.
“He is not just becoming this club’s longest serving manager but is one of the longest serving managers in all of football. To have his continued involvement gives us the stability to progress.”
FAVERSHAM TOWN have issued the following statement regarding the proposed playing structure at Salters Lane next season.
The club finished in a disappointing seventeenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table this season and the club issued the following statement on its website at www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.
“Following a review of our current structure the club has decided that some changes need to be made to our playing structure for the new season.
“The main change is that we will not be running a reserve side in 2012/13. This was not an easy decision to make and comes on the back of a season which has seen our current reserve team reach two Cup Semi Finals and finish runners up in their League, and we congratulate all the lads and their management team on their achievements.
“It is also likely that there will be a Ryman Under21 League in operation in 2013/14. This League will allow two over age players and we aim to be in a position at the end of the 2012/13 season to consider entering a side in this league in 2013/14.
“The other change is that at Under 18 level the club will only be running one side which will compete in the Ryman U18 League, and in making this announcement we acknowledge all the efforts of this season’s Kent League Under 18 players and management.
“These changes will enable us to establish our position in the Ryman League and transfer resources to our youth set-up which we feel provides the future of our club. The coming season will see an extra side, at Under 14 level, and our plans provide for the addition of further youth sides in each of the following seasons so there is a structured (in-house) path for our young players to progress from Under 13s right through to the first team.”
Faversham Town, meanwhile, finished in last place in the Ryman Youth League East Division this season after losing a basement battle away to Bromley in their final game.
GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally says Andy Hessenthaler paid the price for failing to get the club promoted from League Two.
The former Dover Athletic boss stepped down as Gillingham manager earlier in the week after missing out on the play-offs in the last two seasons.
Mr Scally told BBC South East Today: “With the quality squad we had, two seasons was enough to see if we could get out of the division.
"If you don't achieve success you don't often keep your job."
He added: "Much as it was a difficult decision for me, in my heart I believe it is the right decision.
"He cares about the club and he knows the only way we are judged is by success, not by what we do off the field.
"We didn't get the success we believed we should have got in one of those two seasons."
“He's just the man, if he accepts the role, to develop our overall football strategy”
Mr Scally has revealed that he has already received plenty of applications for the vacant hotseat at Priestfield.
"I've been inundated with agents and so far we're up to about 40," he continued. "I haven't even started looking at them and I've got a completely open mind.
"We'll decide on a shortlist of who we would want to see.
"It'll take a couple of weeks, I guess. We hope to have someone in by the end of the month."
Hessenthaler, meanwhile, has been offered a place on the Kent club's board as a full company director - a position which would see him overseeing football development.
"Because he failed in getting us into League One doesn't mean he's a bad person," Mr Scally explained.
"He's a man of integrity who loves this club very deeply.
"When you've got someone who's that good, it's a bit of a waste if you ask them to leave and not come back.
"He can do a great job for this club in that role. He's just the man, if he accepts the role, to develop our overall football strategy.
"He's gone away to think about it."
Meanwhile, the club have released five players.
Matt Lawrence and striker Dennis Oli have been let go, having been transfer listed in February.
Midfielders Danny Spiller, Curtis Weston and Dean Rance have also not been offered new deals.
Following Hessenthaler’s departure on Tuesday, decisions on further contract renewals have been deferred for the time being.
MAIDSTONE UNITED have unveiled Steve Ward is joining the club as Jay Saunders’ assistant manager.
Ward, who comes from the county town, joins The Stones from Ryman Premier League club Canvey Island.
He has achieved somewhat legendary status at the Essex club having played for them for 12 years in total over two spells (1996-2006 and 2010-2012). In between times Ward played for Chelmsford City and Grays Athletic.
During his playing career he has been capped at England ‘C’ level, won the Ryman League Premier Division title and also an FA Trophy winners’ medal.
Ward, 41, brings considerable experience of the non-league game with him to his home-town club.
He will also sign player registration forms after playing 21 games for The Gulls last season.
Saunders was delighted to have secured such an experienced man for the new season.
The boss told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “I’ve been chasing Steve for some time and I’m thrilled to have him as part of my backroom team. As well as being in the dugout I’ll also have the option of using him as a player if necessary. Steve is very fit and still keen to play.
“Steve was very keen to join Maidstone United as it is his home town club. He lives in the town and works locally so for him it is the perfect club for him to join after finally leaving Canvey.”
MARGATE have confirmed the departure of three players. Defender, Dean Hill, 28, has already signed for Ramsgate, whilst striker Tom Bradbrook has left to sign for Leatherhead, who are managed by former Sittingbourne manager Richard Brady. Former Dover Athletic defender Craig Cloke has also departed Hartsdown Park.
Margate host a testimonial match for former defender Bill Edwards at Hartsdown Park tomorrow (3pm), between a Margate Legends XI and Ex Pros.
SITTINGBOURNE, who finished in the bottom three in the Ryman League Division One South table this season, begin the search for a new manager after Joe Dowley’s decision to resume his playing career after a poor first season in charge at Bourne Park.
A club statement said: “Sittingbourne Football club is seeking an experienced team manager who has a proven track record and contacts that can take the club forward.”
Applications should include a brief career resume and contact details including phone and email address. Please send your application to bournefc@hotmail.com.
WELLING UNITED’S Park View Road ground offers football-starved supporters a chance to watch a couple of Hospital Cup Finals next week.
Kent Invicta League outfit Sutton Athletic – who have already lifted the Kent Air Ambulance Challenge Shield this season – face Viewpoint in the Hospitals Cup Senior Section Final next Tuesday, 15 May.
And Pavillion face Phoenix Sports in the Hospitals Cup Junior Section Final next Friday, 18 May.
Both games kick-off at 7:45pm.
WHITSTABLE TOWN are delighted to confirm the appointment of Neil Snee, Ben Rogers-Smith and Jack Santer to manage and coach a new team for the 2012/13 season at u15 age group in the Valley Express Kent Youth League.
Neil and Ben are keen to further develop their squad within a Ryman League club as the boys enter this crucial stage of their football development and see Whitstable as the ideal set up to work with.
The exciting plans for Whitstable Town’s development under new chairman elect, Gary Johnson, with first team manager Justin Luchford and the stability offered by the club encouraged Neil to move from Canterbury as he believes the opportunity for players to progress will be enhanced by this change.
Snee told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk: “We are confident of creating a strong squad and have already had a number of players expressing interest in joining this exciting new venture. Working with the football management team gives us the chance to develop the boys to a point where many of them will have a realistic chance of playing for the first team in the next few years”.
An invitation has been posted on the Kent Youth League site for players to participate in two friendly games over the next two weekends as part of the selection process and interested players are asked to ring Neil on 07793680633.
A club statement added: “Whitstable Town FC are committed to both the personal and football development of young players and will be providing a minimum of two hours training per week on a 3G pitch, a chance to learn from senior players and coaching staff and one of the best pitches in the area to play on.
”We prefer to support boys to show their potential in games rather than the stress of open trials and if this appeals to you call Neil Snee on 07793 680 633.”
EDITOR’S MESSAGE:
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