Soccer Shorts: Mark Arber quits Dartford over length of contract offer

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BROMLEY have received a summer boost after The Football Association has announced that the 32 non-league clubs who played in The FA Cup First Round last season will each receive the sum of £11,313.

The money comes from the FA Cup pool, which is derived from replays in the latter rounds of the competition.

Clubs hosting replays from the third round onwards last season, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, pay £5% of gate receipts into the pool.

As a result, this year’s sum is the biggest ever paid out.

Bromley have reached the FA Cup First Round in four of the last six seasons and went down to a 3-0 away defeat to League One side Fleetwood Town last November.  On other occasions they lost to Gillingham, Colchester United and Leyton Orient and the Hayes Lane outfit have never defeated Football League opposition in their 121-year history.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has lost two defenders today.

South African born Mark Arber, 35, has quit the Conference Premier club after just one season.

Burman issued a statement on the club’s official website www.dartfordfconline.com  and said: “After making  Mark an offer for next season, sometimes as a manager, decisions have to be made and unfortunately we have amicably decided to part company.

“Mark would like to stress the decision is not for financial reasons or travelling issues (from his Peterborough home), but more to do with the length of the contract that was offered.”

Richard Rose, 30, has also turned down a deal to stay at Princes Park and decided to accept an offer from another club.

DOVER ATHLETIC are pleased to announce Craig Stone as the club’s first new signing this summer.

The versatile 24-year-old joins from Ebbsfleet United, where he was a regular fixture in Liam Daish’s side since 2010 – clocking up more appearances than any other Fleet player.

Born in Gravesend, Stone went on to play for his home-town club after starting his career in the youth ranks at Maidstone United, before moving to Gillingham, where he made 15 appearances in League One as a teenager.

Stone has showed himself to be equally adept in both defence and midfield. He was awarded the Manager's Player of the Year by Liam Daish at the end of last season.

A club statement issued on www.doverathletic.com said: “Craig has decided that now is the right time for a new challenge and he becomes manager Chris Kinnear's first new signing of the close season.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE have confirmed that any charges against both the club and striker Adam Burchell should be dropped.

Officials from the Kent League champions attended a FA disciplinary hearing at Wembley Stadium yesterday in response to a charge raised by the Kent FA in regards to allegedly playing an ineligible player against Sevenoaks Town on 20 October 2012.

A club statement issued on www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk said: “The FA Committee has ruled that due to FA rules the charges against both the club and player should be dropped.

“This means that it now falls to the Kent League to decide on what actions to take in regards to Adam Burchell playing in the Sevenoaks fixture.”

Manager Micky Collins, 42 and his entire management team quit the club only 12 days after completing the Kent League double over concerns about the club’s budget going into their inaugural Ryman League Division One North campaign next season.

HERNE BAY have lost three influential players ahead of their second campaign in the Ryman League.

Defender Tom Bryant, winger Rhys Lawson and striker Byron Walker have all decided on a career move.

Manager Sam Denly, who signed defender Joe Kane from Kent League side Lordswood, revealed that Dean Grant, James Turner, Michael Turner and Gary Sayer have all re-signed for the club.

Lawson told www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay: “It’s been a tough decision to move on as I am leaving more than just a football team and will leave a lot of very good friends.  I haven’t decided where I will be yet, a few options on the table but with Sam (Denly) going on holiday I thought it only be right to him and the team to let him know of my intention before he went.  The last few years have been the best of my football career by far, which I will never forget.”

Bryant added: “It’s been a hard decision knowing that I’m not only leaving my team mates and friends but a club that will be close to my heart. I just feel it’s time to take a new journey and a fresh challenge on my footballing career.”

Striker Walker has also left the club for a second time and chairman Trevor Kennett added: “Rhys, Byron and Tom have been truly fantastic for Herne Bay and I wish them well for the future.”

Herne Bay’s home midweek fixtures will be played on Tuesday night’s next season. This will enable the training regime to continue on Thursday’s, which was disrupted last season with home games being played on Wednesday.

SITTINGBOURNE have appointed defender Nick Davis as their new captain, with Nick Tredwell becoming vice-captain.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Tommy Warrilow has appointed Scott Chalmers-Stevens, 26, as the club’s new player-goalkeeper coach.  The shot-stopper was on dual-registration with the Angels and Kent League champions Erith & Belvedere last season, but has signed forms to play for the Angels next season.  He will fight for the number one jersey alongside summer signing, Clark Masters, who arrived from Havant & Waterlooville, after Lee Worgan joined their Ryman Premier League neighbours Maidstone United.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS have signed prolific target-man Andy Constable, 33, from Kent League champions Erith & Belvedere.  Constable scored 62 goals for the Deres’ during his two-season stay at Park View Road.