Soccer Shorts: Slade Green unveil Simpson as their new keeper coach

As you can imagine, it’s very quiet in the Garden of England at present. But please click here for the latest news.

SLADE GREEN have received a massive boost ahead of the new Kent League season with lightening fast striker Raphael Akala rejoining the club.

The former Yeovil Town man has returned following a brief spell with Greenwich Borough and looks set to rekindle his partnership with Lee Barnett that yielded 11 goals between them from seven appearances together.

‘I am pleased to announce the signing of Raphael Akala as he returns from a brief spell at Greenwich Borough,” said Slade Green manager Matt Longhurst.

“Raph has all the attributes to become a top player in non league football and has a great attitude towards the game.

“His pace and finishing are second to none and I expect him to push on this season working on the link up play side of his game and movement off the ball but another great signing for the club.”

Longhurst also revealed the signing of Jamal Assal Quartson who has moved from Newham Borough of the little known East London & Essex Football League.

Longhurst said: “He is a player that can play on either wing and upfront with good pace and a neat touch.

“Having seen him in training recently in an 11 a side game he looked very comfortable and someone that can improve the squad still.

“He has given us the added advantage of pace which is important in today’s game and is someone who I expect to again further improve the side this season".

Longhurst also confirmed tonight that he is currently in talks with a central defender that has made over 100 appearances in the Ryman League and has also offered him the assistant managers role.

“I am awaiting a decision on that,” said Longhurst.

“Fingers crossed he will come and join us in both areas as his experience will prove invaluable to our young squad and is another piece to the jigsaw that we need as a club to move forward.”

Longhurst, the busiest manager here in Kent this summer, has also unveiled the capture of former Millwall, Dartford and Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper Jimmy Simpson as his new goalkeeper coach.

He said: “It is with great pleasure that I can announce the new goalkeeper coach in the form of Jimmy Simpson.

“His career has been cut short due to an ankle injury but has agreed to come and coach our first team keepers in training and will also be in the dug out on a Saturday.

“Jimmy’s enthusiasm when I spoke to him regarding the role speaks volumes about his personality and he will be a key member in the changing room as well as on the training pitch.

“He has loads of experience in his field and will be passing that knowledge on to our young goalkeepers and I am pleased we have managed to bring someone of his stature to the club.”

A physio and kit man is still on the shopping list. Anyone interested should email mattlnghrst@yahoo.co.uk. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA are pleased to announce that Jim Pellatt, the vice-chairman during the chairmanship of Gordon Wallis, has agreed to hold over the role left vacant by Mr Wallis’s departure from the Ryman League Division One South club earlier this week.

WELLING UNITED have confirmed the signing of midfielder Lee Blackburn. The 23-year-old played for Crawley Town last season and has previously had spells at Cambridge United and was also on the youth training scheme at Norwich City.

CRAY WANDERERS received two awards at the Ryman League end-of-season presentation night earlier in the week.

Ian Jenkins’ side, who lost the Ryman League Division One South play-off final to Tooting & Mitcham United in early May, received the “Team of the Season” and “Fair Play” award for the division.

WHITSTABLE TOWN are delighted to have arranged a pre-season friendly against Barry Ashby’s new-look Margate side.

Whitstable manager Marc Seager is delighted that his club have enticed higher league sides to Belmont Road as they warm up to their second Ryman League Division One South campaign.

“With the other games we have lined up pre-season, the addition of Margate makes these games a great taster for the supporters before we start our Ryman 2008 season,” Seager told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“With Dover, Dartford, Maidstone, (Kent League side) Herne Bay and now Margate all coming to The Belmont it promises to be a great start to the season with some tasty games to look forward before we start our league action.”

Don’t forget that you can look at all the pre-season friendlies by clicking on STAT ATTACK.

Meanwhile, Ashford Town are searching for an away pre-season friendly, to be played on Saturday, 22^nd July.

If your company would like to sponsor www.kentishfootball.co.uk please click on CONTACT US or telephone Stephen McCartney on 07979 418 360.