Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Many people tip us for promotion this year, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon
CHATHAM TOWN boss Kevin Watson has unveiled the signings of Greg Benbow from Erith Town; defender Drew Crush, winger Kieran McCann and striker Andy Constable, all from last season’s Kent League double winners Erith & Belvedere.
Watson told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chathamtownfc: “I am extremely pleased with all of our signings to date. We have managed to acquitre some extremely talented players whilst retain high performers from last season. We had 24 players training, which will be cut to a squad of eighteen for the season.”
DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has signed two players from the club’s Academy set-up. George Monger and left-back Jay Porter have been added to the first team squad at The Skrill Premier outfit.
Burman told www.dartfordfconline.com: “After two good seasons with the Academy, I feel they both desere the reward of a first team squad place.”
DOVER ATHLETIC are pleased to announce the signing of Tom Murphy, 21, on a one-year contract following a successful trial at Crabble.
Whites' boss Chris Kinnear previously signed Murphy for Margate, where he made 48 appearances and scored nine goals, all nine coming while Kinnear was manager of the Ryman Premier League club.
The striker was invited to trial at Crabble this summer after his contract expired at Hartsdown Park. He has impressed in pre-season, scoring two goals in his first two games.
Murphy started his football career at Gillingham and joined Margate from Horsham in February 2012. He previously had spells with Lewes, Thurrock and Farnborough in Conference South.
EBBSFLEET UNITED have announced that following a period of due diligence it has decided not to proceed with the acquisition of the Fleet Leisure Sports and Social Club in Gravesend.
In a statement, which was published on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk, vice chairman Peter Varney said:
“We have taken a decision that we believe is in the best interests of the football club. The Fleet Leisure pitches require major renovation work, levelling and a new irrigation and drainage system and the pitches would not be back in full use until September 2014 at the earliest.
“The five-a-side astroturf pitches have broken down also. Additionally the fabric of the buildings at Fleet Leisure is very poor and all areas require extensive refurbishment including a complete new roof on the main building. We also wanted to install a new full-size artificial pitch and it was clear there would be a lot of local opposition to that proposal.
“All in all, we were facing significant but unquantifiable costs if we went ahead with the purchase. We have a number of other more attractive options and will now be pursuing these with some vigour”.
ERITH & BELVEDERE are looking for a new first team physio after Ally Maloney left the club to join their Ryman League Division One North rivals VCD Athletic. Anyone who is interested should email your CV to clubsec_erithandbelvederefc@live.com.
MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Jay Saunders have signed winger Orlando Smith, 24, who helped Erith & Belvedere win the Kent League double last season.
Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen from Orlando, he’s got great place and causes defenders problems. He was an important of Erith & Belvedere’s promotion winning team and even their former boss Micky Collins recognised he should be playing at a higher level. I am delighted he’s joined us and his experience of the game will definitely help us in the Ryman Prem.”
MARGATE are on the look out for somebody to take a DVD recording of all first team games at Hartsdown Park.
These recordings will be used by joint-managers Craig Holloway and Simon Osborn to reflect on performances and also could be made available to purchase by supporters if required.
A viewing tower could be made available if needed but camera will not be supplied.
If you think you could help out please email paul.zannetti@margate-fc.com or phone the Ryman Premier League club on 01843 221769.
HERNE BAY boss Sam Denly has unveiled the signing of former Tonbridge Angels full-back Danny Walder and midfielder Adam Woolcott has returned to the club from neighbours Whitstable Town.
“I am really pleased to be able to bring Danny to the club,” Denly told www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay.
“Danny has previously played at Ramsgate, Gillingham, Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels and is an experienced player who can also play in defence.
HYTHE TOWN are delighted to announce the return to Reachfields of midfielder Ronnie Dolan, 21.
At one point in pre-season Dolan was set to train with The Skrill Premier new-boys Welling United.
However, after a change of heart and several excellent displays in the last week or so, he will start the new season for Scott Porter's side.
RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon admits his side are tipped for Ryman League Division One South promotion at the end of this season.
The Rams kick-off their league campaign with a home game against Leatherhead on Saturday and
Dixon told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk: “There seems to be many people saying they fancy us for promotion this year. Any management team and playing staff with ambition will obviously strive for this goal, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on the lads.
“Of course, this is our main aim, but we need to give the utmost respect to every team we play this year as most of them have strengthened and it will be a very competitive league, with tough matches week in week out.
“I want to see another improvement from last year and if this happens, we won’t be far off. The club has worked really hard off the field and the board and supporters association have been very supportive and we all need to pull together to make Ramsgate FC a team that nobody fancies playing home or away.”
THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon has confirmed the signing of former Bromley and Maidenhead United central defender John Scarborough, following a successful trial at Bayliss Avenue ahead of the club’s inaugural Ryman Premier League campaign.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS have confirmed that they will play Gillingham at Longmead Stadium on Saturday 10 August. The Angels get their Skrill South campaign underway at home to Boreham Wood seven days’ later.
Angels boss Tommy Warrilow wants to keep former Crystal Palace defender Gary Barrowdale, 28, at the club.
Warrilow told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “I want to give Gary as long as possible the pedigree is there. I think the only way he is going to get back to his best is to keep playing and training.
“I didn’t expect him to be 100 per cent fully fit when he joined and it was a negative him coming off (against Whitstable Town) because I wanted him to get 90 minutes again.”
The Angels boss insists that Borrowdale, who finished last season with Irish club Carrick Rangers, is firmly in his plans.
He said: “We’ll see how he goes against Gillingham and I’ll have a chat with him after that and we’ll see where we go from there.
“Obviously he is in our plans because he we’ve not done anything to say we don’t want him, so hopefully it will work well for both parties.”
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