Soccer Shorts: Margate pay off tax bill

Friday 13th November 2009

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EBBSFLEET UNITED have been boosted with the news that Canadian defender Ross Smith has returned to the struggling Blue Square Premier club.

Smith, 29, played for Montrose and Margate before joining the Fleet, and left Stonebridge Road in 2007 to join Dagenham & Redbridge, who had been promoted to League Division Two.

After one season Smith returned to North America to play for the Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division, coached by former Leicester City star Steve Guppy.

However, Smith's appearances for the Rhinos were curtailed when he suffered complications arising from a previously undiscovered heart condition which has been with him since birth.

"Ross is now fully recovered," Fleet boss Liam Daish told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk. "And after stringent tests he has been given the all-clear by doctors here to resume his playing career.

“I am delighted that we are able to bring his fighting spirit, determination and experience back to the club."

Smith had played 87 times for the Fleet, scoring six goals in the process, and supporters are delighted to see him back at Stonebridge Road.

Smith told BBC Radio Kent: "In January I didn't think this was an option. It's absolutely fantastic."

The 29-year-old, who has spent most of his life living in Canada, even though he has Scottish parents, had just made the dream move to the USA when he received the devastating news.

"I played under Steve Guppy for Rochester in New York and when he went to Colorado I went with him.

"I flew out there two weeks earlier to get used to the altitude and I had some chest pains.

"I'd done a few tests and I got a call saying not to run, not to do anything as there was a problem."

But, rather than accept the order to retire, Smith was determined to prove the doctors wrong and play football again.

"I don't know how serious it was," added Smith. "Maybe I dodged the bullet, but after the doctors figured it out, I knew after surgery I would be ok.

"It was then just a case of getting this over with and let's get on with my life. I wasn't looking for a witch doctor to clear me to play.

"I had to go to a recognised specialist, Dr Sharma at Lewisham Hospital. I wouldn't have accepted 50 percent from a doctor, I needed 100 percent clearance and that's what I got."

Smith re-joins Ebbsfleet at a time when the struggling club are being kept off the bottom of the Blue Square Premier only by Chester City's pre-season points deduction.

But he is now expected to be in the squad for Saturday's away game at York.

"It'll be mixed emotions on Saturday," he said. "It will be tough without my family as they went through it all with me, but maybe it's best with them not here worrying about me.

"It will be a fantastic feeling to be back among it and will be a moment I will cherish."

DOVER ATHLETIC director, Roger Knight, says he is pleased with the turnout of the club’s firework display at Crabble seven days ago.

“I would like to send out a personal thank you to all the volunteers who helped make Friday evenings Fireworks Night one of the best so far,” Mr Knight told the club’s fans on the unofficial fans’ forum at www.dovorian.co.uk.

“There was a lot of hard work put in behind the scenes, on the gate, the turnstiles, public address, stewards and all around the ground. As always our club is blessed with a great group of volunteers – we could not have done this without you.

“You know who you are so I won’t embarrass anyone with my personal praise but it just goes to show that we have fantastic support from local people that really care about this club.

“Special mention for the band, Edison Lighthouse. They made the evening quite special and chose to support the club rather than taking other gigs.

“Thank you to everyone that attended will do it again next year.”

WELLING UNITED co-owner Barrie Hobbins insists the club will not be setting new manager Jamie Day any targets for this season.

Day, 30, has taken his first managerial role at Park View Road, with the Wings down in 17th in Blue Square South and subject to pitch conditions, welcome FA Cup heroes Staines Town to Park View Road tomorrow.

"I wouldn't set targets, it's not fair to do so," Mr Hobbins told BBC Radio Kent.

"There's no pressure on Jamie to go out and get immediate results. It's what happens over a longer period of time that counts."

Mr Hobbins added: "We've been in the lower reaches of the league and we're out of the FA Cup.

"We hope that first of all we climb away from the relegation zone and then look up. We could even be looking at play-offs."

He is only young but I think he should play. I think he's got a lot of quality that Welling could do with

Day has also received a vote of confidence from one of Kent's top managers.

Dover Athletic's Andy Hessenthaler, who like Day, has continued to play in the side as well - is confident he will be able to combine the two roles.

The former Gillingham boss said: "I'm pleased for the lad, he's a good coach. I've worked with him on the coaching badges.

"He is only young but I think he should play. I think he's got a lot of quality that Welling could do with.

"I think he can do the two jobs if he's got the right people behind him on the coaching staff - he can go out there and be an influence.

"That's the key - can he say to himself, 'can I influence it on the pitch'. At his age I think he can."

The new player/manager has spoken of his delight at landing the role.

Day is keen to repay the faith shown in him by owners Barrie and Barry Hobbins.

Speaking to www.wellingunited.com, the former Dartford midfielder said: "The chance to be a manager was too good an opportunity for me and one that I couldn't turn down.

"While I am young, I don't think my age will be a problem. I'll take all your experiences from playing and hopefully that will stand me in good stead.

"I'm pleased with the squad that I will inherit but I know that I need to add to it as well.

"I think the fans know that when I was a player I always gave 100 per cent and that won't change now I'm the manager.

"I was pleased with the reaction of the fans I spoke to at Worcester. They wished me well and I'm hoping I can repay the faith that the club has shown in me."

Meanwhile, The Wings can confirm that Barry Ashby has been appointed the new assistant manager. Barry is a former Wings defender having had a playing spell with the club in 2005-06.

Previously with Gillingham where the centre-half made over 300 appearances. Recently he was the first team manager of Ryman Premier League side Margate but departed in October 2008.

Also joining the Wings is Dean Frost in a coaching position, who joins from neighbouring Ryman League Division One North club, VCD Athletic.

MARGATE’S board of directors are delighted to announce that the payment to settle in full the petition covering the debt to HMRC has been made.

The priority to settle the outstanding debt has impacted the club’s current HMRC position which the directors are working to rectify.

A club statement, issued on www.margate-fc.com, said, “The directors would like to take this opportunity to thank the club’s development partner Gary Lever, all supporters, MISA Committee members, and members of the public who came forward in the club’s hour of need to assist with the purchase of shares which in turn has greatly assisted the club in terminating the HMRC petition.”

The directors are further delighted to announce that the issuing of share certificates will commence from Monday.

ASHFORD TOWN have moved to extend the loan deal of Steve Springett for a further month.

The left-sided defender has impressed in his seven appearances for the Homelands since his temporary move from Blue Square Conference side Ebbsfleet United last month and turned in a man-of-the-match display in the goalless draw away at Chatham Town at the weekend.

Assistant manager Hugo Langton says he is delighted with the extension.

“The lad has been superb since he has been with us - he is only young but he will get better,” Langton told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“He was part of a top defensive display on Saturday and we look forward to him being with us for a further month.”

Springett’s fellow loanee Jamie Forshaw, meanwhile, has ended his loan spell at the club after making three appearances and returns to Stonebridge Road.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA director Mark Jenner has pointed out the facts of life to supporters, who had asked for a admission price deduction for Tuesday night’s Championship Manager Cup tie against Aveley.

A crowd of just 164 watched the 4-0 second round defeat to higher league side Aveley, which was the lowest crowd of the season at Cheriton Road.

“The League Cup has never been popular amongst clubs or supporters and is rarely well attended until the semi-final stage,” Mr Jenner told fans’ on the forum at www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“We would be lucky to have 100 paying guests which average, after concessions, £6 a head, knock off the VAT leaves £5. Say £500 gross at the outside.

“The officials will cost around £150 sometimes more if they travel a distance, the lights cost at least £80 for the night. There are sandwiches and food for the players, say £30 if we are frugal.

“That leaves £240 at best which is then split 50/50 with the opposition as it's a cup game. That leaves Invicta with at best £120 towards the wages for the week.

“I hardly think the club is being greedy and I don't think the visiting club would be happy with nothing which would be the result if we reduced the ticket price to £5 as you suggest.”

Invicta kept the same starting eleven which had won at Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday which made it a momentous night for captain Micheal Everitt who equalled friend and team mate James Dryden's record of 324 starting appearances for his hometown club.

The 27-year-old gave a typically wholehearted performance and was denied a first half equaliser by a stunning save from visiting goalkeeper James Marrable.

Folkestone Invicta travel to Croydon Athletic on Saturday, a game that is FREE of charge for all supporters to watch.

THE DRAW for the third round of the Championship Manager Cup was made by the Ryman League this morning, and yet again, there are some tasty Kent derbies.

Sittingbourne vs. Margate

Dartford vs. Aveley

Maidstone United vs. Ashford Town or Tilbury

Tonbridge Angels vs. Chatham Town

Waltham Forest vs., Canvey Island

Concord Rangers or East Thurrock United vs. Leyton or Billericay Town

AFC Hornchurch or Brentwood Town vs. Redbridge or Harlow Town

Maldon Town vs. Lowestoft Town

Hastings United vs. Croydon Athletic

Leatherhead or Burgess Hill Town vs. Bognor Regis Town

Whyteleafe vs. Godalming Town

Horsham vs. Horsham YMCA

Wealdstone vs. Metropolitan Police

Fleet Town vs. Northwood or Potters Bar Town

Walton & Hersham vs. Walton Casuals

Wingate & Finchley vs. Enfield Town

Ties to be played on Tuesday, 8th December, with the final being played on Wednesday, 24th March 2010.

THAMESMEAD TOWN are now out of all cup competitions this season as they were defeated by an injury time goal in the Championship Manager Cup by Sittingbourne.

The Mead have now been knocked out of the FA Cup, FA Carlsberg Trophy, Kent Senior Cup and London Senior Cup and were defeated by a last-gasp Hicham Akhazzan goal on Tuesday night.

Midfielder James Brown was forced to take over in goal at half time, due to an injury sustained by keeper Steve Northwood.

However, a bigger injury occurred later when Rob Carter sustained a torn hamstring, which could keep the England schoolboy international defender out for up to six weeks.

Gary Abbott’s side booked their place in the third round as Akhazzan’s 12th goal of the season proved crucial as it was Sittingbourne’s only shot on goal during the second half.

“I thought we were the better side,” admitted Mead manager Keith McMahon, when speaking to www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk.

“I don’t think we started that well but came strong and dominated the second half and should have scored a few times.”

High-flying Thamesmead, meanwhile, have injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Maldon Town.

“Rob’s looks serious and I don’t expect him back for at least six weeks, which is a shame as he’s doing so well. Steve Northwood will test his back and we’ll see how that goes.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE have secured the signing of midfielder, Adam Cottrell, 24, from Ryman League Division One South side Sittingbourne.

He began his career as a YTS at Charlton Athletic before signing pro-forms with Millwall and has since played for Gillingham, Weymouth, Dorchester Town and Welling United.

More recently he has played for Slade Green and Erith Town before moving to Sittingbourne at the start of this season.

Personal commitments mean that Adam cannot travel to Witney United for the FA Carlsberg Vase tie.

Also this week, the Bulmers Cider Kent League club have recruited former Slade Green manager Matt Longhurst to the coaching staff at Park View Road.

Longhurst, 28, is a UEFA `A` licence holder. He was most recently employed by Croydon and Chatham Town and also had spells in management with Dartford's under-21s.

The Dartford side that Longhurst was involved in contained many players that have both moved up to the first-team and also on to higher things.

He also ran his own successful coaching business. Now living in Greenhithe, Longhurst is a recruitment manager.

NORTON SPORTS have signed Lewis Taylor, following his recent release from landlords, Herne Bay.

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Simon Jones has described last week’s penalty shoot-out win over Norton Sports last week as a “crazy game.”

"We played them off the park at times in the second half, but going through to the next round is the main thing,” Jones told www.sevenoakstownfc.org this week.

Meanwhile, John Alegbe started his three game ban last week, after being sent off against Norton in the first leg.

Alfie Keroma missed the game with an ankle injury, and Ossie Bayram is nursing an abdominal problem.

Marcus Rose has been released, while Aaron Scanlon has joined the club, and was substitute against Norton, coming on to replace Jamie Johnson in extra-time.

Popular after dinner speaker and entertainer Bob "the Cat Bevan has revealed he enjoyed his visit to Sevenoaks Town earlier this season when we the club Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup replay.

Wrting in the match programme for Tonbridge Angels Championship Manager Cup tie against Whitstable Town, which the Angels won 4-1, Mr Bevan, who lives just over the border in East Sussex, and is a vice president at Longmead, was full of praise for Sevenoaks Town hard-working stalwart, Sue Smart.

He said: “Earlier this season when the Hamlet were held to a draw by lowly Sevenoaks Town in the FA Cup, I took myself off to see the replay.

"Our neighbours have a ground largely consisting of portakabins, but still aspire to climb the Pyramid one day. Good Luck to them.

"On the night the lady who sold me my three quid concessionary ticket, sold me my cheeseburger 20 minutes later. I asked her if she was coming on in the second half.

"Such people and such clubs are what the game is all about.”