Soccer Shorts: Sittingbourne belong in the top half of the table, says joint-manager Danny Ward

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CARSHALTON ATHLETIC, who play in the Ryman Premier League, have gone up a level to sign former Tonbridge Angels midfielder Lewis Taylor, 25, from Bromley.  The Robins have already signed a player from Hayes Lane, enticing winger Jack Clark to sign from Cray Wanderers. 

DARTFORD have confirmed that they have come to an agreement with Maidstone United for second-choice goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim, 21. 

A club statement, which was published on www.dartfordfconline.com said: “Deren has dual registered which will enable him to play for both Dartford and Maidstone United.  Tony Burman expressed that it’s a good opportunity and didn’t want Deren to miss out on the chance of playing as a number one goalkeeper.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED are delighted to announce the signing of Liam Bellamy, 20.  Bellamy is a former member of the Brentford Development Squad, will leave on 1 July and sign permanently for the Stonebridge Road club.

The two clubs have agreed a transfer of Bellamy’s registration and will join The Fleet on 1 July.

The box-to-box midfielder signed a two-year Development Squad contract before the start of the 2011-12 season after impressing for Brentford’s reserve team on trial.

Injury caused a delay to the start of his season but he played eight games for the Development Squad during the 2011-12 campaign.

Bellamy played for the Fleet on loan towards the end of last season starting in seven games and coming on as a substitute in a further four games. He made his debut in the home game against Wrexham in March and scored in the last game of the season at home to Lincoln City.  He featured in critical victories over Darlington, Kettering and Telford.

Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “I am obviously pleased that we have Liam back at the club.  He proved last season that he is a skilled and talented player and will add strength and flair to our midfield.”

Osa Aibangee, who is Brentford’s director of youth development, added: “Liam impressed everyone at Ebbsfleet with his performances at the end of last season and they were keen to keep him.

“It was an opportunity for him to play first team football at a good level and we did not want to stand in his way.

“Liam is a talented player and I’m sure he will do well at that level.  He worked very hard while he was here to recover from his injury and was a useful member of the Development Squad. We wish him all the best for the future.”

MARGATE have raided their Ryman Premier League rivals Cray Wanderers again by enticing striker Tommy Whitnell to join full-back Sam Long at Hartsdown Park.  Whitnell has penned a one-year contract, while Long has signed for two-years.

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Danny Ward says he is inviting supporters to the club’s pre-season training sessions.  The Bourne Park outfit appointed Scottish brothers Jim and Danny Ward after the club finished third-from-bottom in the Ryman League Division One South under rookie manager Joe Dowley last season.

Danny Ward told www.sittingbournefc.co.uk: “Followers of Sittingbourne will be pleased to hear their team will get pre-season underway in just over a week.  The rest of the new management team and I are looking forward to a new season and this will be your first opportunity to see how the team is shaping up so come along and see the players we have already announced that are signed on, as well as a number of trialists hoping to gain a place in the squad.

“All pre-season training sessions will be open to spectators, so you can all come and see the football Jim and I are hoping to play next season – good attacking football, mixing older experienced players with young prospects, to get your team back where you belong – in the top half of the table, hopefully pushing for promotion.”

The first team will play the club’s Academy side at 12 noon on 14 July at Sittingbourne Community College.

Ward tells supporters: “This will be your first opportunity to see the team in action and the club are putting on a BBQ after the match back at the ground to give you a chance to speak to the management team and squad for next season.

“Training sessions will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9, the first being on 3 July at Sittingbourne Football Club.”

WELLING UNITED have confirmed that winger-turned-right-back Loui Fazakerley and central defender Ben Martin have re-signed for the club.  Fazakerley is the longest serving player at Park View Road.

Meanwhile, The Football Conference have confirmed that they will publish their League Fixtures next Monday, 2 July, while the draws for The FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase are unveiled on Thursday 5 July.  The Ryman League have confirmed that they will publish their fixtures on Friday 13 July.