Soccer Shorts: Lillis stays at the Bay

Here are some brief news stories from all levels of football in the Garden of England - stories involving Maidstone United, Canterbury City, Dartford, Sittingbourne, Folkestone Invicta, Lordswood, Herne Bay and Ebbsfleet United.

Clubs are invited to send us their press releases (including player news, pre-season friendlies and anything else) by clicking on CONTACT US.

Maidstone United fans have raised £5,238.67 towards bringing the Ryman Premier League newcomers back home to the county town.

Fans around Kent can donate towards the fund, by visiting their website www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

A statement said: “Work is finally underway to bring the Stones home and if you want to help achieve the dream and wish to donate to the ground development then please donate today.

“We’ll provide you with updates on donations received through this page as well as providing details of fundraising initiatives.

“To kick off the campaign we have launched a “Donate Online” button where you can make a donation to the club online.

“Sadly PayPal do take a very small commission, but rest assured all money raised will go directly into the development of the stadium.”

Alternatively if you wish to make a donation by cheque, then these should be made payable to “Maidstone United Ground Ltd” and send to:

Jonathan Parr
101 Clarence Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM1 1RJ

www.maidstoneunited.co.uk will dedicate a whole page listing everyone (be they companies or individuals) who have donated so make sure your name is on the PayPal transaction/cheque (as they’re sometimes only initials).

The statement added: “This is a crucial time for the club as we move towards the first phases of construction so please give as much as you can or alternatively pop some change in the resurrected bucket collections on match days.”

Canterbury City chairman Mr Phil Knight expects the re-born club to start at the very bottom of the football pyramid in August.

The Canterbury resident, 42, believes the club will be accepted into the British Energy Kent County League, but in Division Two East - three divisions below the Kent League.

But Mr Knight explained today, that he’ll still be officiating in the Ryman League.

He said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “My role as chairman of the club has really been in dealing with the council and other partners and less to do with the actual footballing side of the club.

“Indeed the committee that I have put together is much better experienced to deal with footballing matters than I am.

“It has been agreed by the committee that I can continue in this vein and spend Saturday’s at (the club) when not refereeing.

“At 42, I am only likely to be refereeing at Ryman level for a year or two, so will be free to get even more involved at the stage.”

And on the club’s application, he added: “The club have applied to enter the Kent County League for season 2007-08. The entry point will be Division Two East, but of course we need to be successful at the (League’s) Annual General Meeting first.”

Dartford are pleased to announce that they have been voted Community Club of the Year by readers of the Non-League Paper.

Representatives of the Ryman League Division One South club will travel to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium next Thursday to receive the award.

“I personally want to congratulate the board for this fine achievement, and hope they enjoy their day at the third best new ground in the Country,” beamed website editor Gary Clarke on www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

Sittingbourne secretary Mr John Pitts has revealed the Bourne Park club have scrapped their under eighteen side next season.

Mr Pitts explained why on www.sittingbournefc.co.uk : “Next season we will not be entering an under 18 youth team but the reserve team will consist of a number of under 18 players.

“We will be entering the FA Youth Cup with those reserve players eligible to play.”

Folkestone Invicta have today launched an online mailing list to those that wish to receive monthly newsletters and information on the Ryman Premier League club.

Earlier in the week manager Neil Cugley was rewarded for keeping the club in the Ryman Premier League with a one-year contract.

Visit the club’s website www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk to receive the May 2007 full colour newsletter.

Lordswood secretary Mr Steve Lewis has revealed that interviews for the vacant managers role at the Kent League club, are being held next Wednesday, 16^th May.

The Martyn Grove outfit are searching for a new man at the helm after Paul Piggott resigned last weekend.

Piggott, 36, was appointed coach at his former club Faversham Town earlier in the week (a story that was brought to us by James Brown at www.favershamtownfc.co.uk).

Herne Bay have confirmed that Jason Lillis will still be manager at Winch’s Field when the new Kent League season kick’s off on Saturday, 11^th August.