Soccer Shorts: Support Dover Athletic instead off being fleeced by Premier League, says chairman

DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter, whose club are topping the Ryman League Division One South table, has called upon disgruntled fans of Premier League clubs to watch Andy Hessenthaler’s side play Croydon Athletic at the SeaFrance Crabble Stadium, Lewisham Road, Dover tomorrow (3pm).

Speaking to the club’s website www.doverathletic.com, he said: “The news this week that the men at the top of the English Premier League intend to hasten the transformation of our National Game into a circus by dragging their over-paid clowns to the other side of the world to play one more meaningless game each season, probably comes as no surprise to some people.

“How often have we heard that players are “too tired” to compete in the early rounds of our national cup competitions, or for poor international performances excused because of “heavy European and domestic commitments”?. Yet still, the Premier League autocrats pursue this farcical plan in the pursuit of yet more money.

"Let’s face it, the Premier League is now so remote and aloof they cannot claim to be custodians of the national game anymore. With one individual, who should remain nameless, claiming “Well, actually, we don’t need our fans to come to games”, surely this organisation has finally ‘sold out’ in every sense of the word.

“Owned by foreign investors with no feeling for our great game, who are simply in it for the money and, has already been shown at Liverpool, will ‘re-finance’ and saddle our great clubs with massive debts if things don’t go well. Staffed to a large degree by over-paid foreign players as a quick fix stifling opportunities for young British players, all in the pursuit of money.

“But, where does all this money go? Certainly not into grassroots football and the non-league structure. For example, some third world countries can boast better facilities for up and coming young footballers than are currently available in Dover.

“We simply must invest in our grassroots game if our national side is not to become a laughing stock, and our smaller clubs suffocated by performing seals financed by rich Americans out for a fast buck.

“I say to the FA: stop touching your forelock to the Premier League, stop paying lip service to the grassroots game and take action to ensure that a fair proportion of the massive sums earned are invested in football’s future.

“Not only in the ‘community based projects’, as is the case now, but also in the development of young promising British players.

“I say to supporters: the Premier League many not need or want you, but we do. Try watching your local side, get involved, spend a fraction of what you would at a Premiership ground and feel as though you belong.

“Instead of watching the midweek televised games, come along and watch real football for real people!

ANDY FORD prepares for his second game in charge of Welling United for their trip to Weston-super-Mare tomorrow.

And the former Gravesend & Northfleet boss has brought in three players this week, whilst giant defender Francis Duku, a recent acquisition from Bromley, has opted for a move to Ryman Premier League side Staines Town.

Midfielder Ohran Stewart (ex Dulwich Hamlet and Walton & Hersham), defender Max Hustwick (Walton Casuals) and striker Amos Foyewa (AFC Hornchurch) arrived at the Park View Road club this week.

BROMLEY, who travel to Hayes & Yeading tomorrow, have won their last two academy games against Dartford and AFC Wimbledon, are playing Welling United on Monday, 11^th February, at Coney Hall’s Tiepigs Lane ground. The youth match starts at 2pm.

MAIDSTONE UNITED’S game at Wealdstone in midweek was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and the enforced break has meant that Rob Owen is now available to travel to Staines Town tomorrow, having come through last night’s training session unscathed.

However, striker Lynden Rowland still remains on the injury list, although joint-manager Alan Walker was hopeful that he would be fit for next Saturday’s game.

There remains doubts over Chris Smalling, who is still suffering with an ankle injury and striker Mo Takaloo, who turned his ankle during the week, although he should recover in time. Back in the squad, however, will be full-back Craig Roser.

Meanwhile the managements attempts to bolster the squad suffered another setback this week.

Lightening quick striker Luis Cumbers had become available on loan from Gillingham, however, AFC Wimbledon stepped in when they heard of his availability and he has chosen to join them rather than a return to the Stones.

Walker was desperately disappointed in trying to bring Cumbers back to the club, telling www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: "It's a case of the haves against the have nots really, we tried to get him back but the lure of a team in the play-off positions as well as the obvious big crowds meant that we were unable to persuade him to return to us which is obviously bitterly disappointing.

“So we'll just have to continue our search and we remain hopeful we will be able to bring in further signings in the next week."

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell reflected on another decent away win and looks forward to the visit of Walton Casuals to Homelands tomorrow.

Ashford Town extended their run to only one defeat in seven with a win at lowly Corinthian-Casuals last weekend and despite his side yet again not really required to get out of second gear, Lovell was happy with the display.

Speaking to www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk, the Welshman said: “We started off brightly and could have gone ahead early on but in the end we scored at the right time.

“It was definitely a penalty and was good to see Mitch [Mitchell Sherwood] get off the mark. I have worked with him since he was 14 years-old and I have never seen him miss one. Once the penalty was up for grabs he was confident enough to take and score an important goal.

“As soon as Jimmy Bottle scored the second there wasn’t really any problems. We could have maybe gone on and scored a few more but in the end it was a decent performance and we defended well again.

“I can only remember Jamie Riley having to make one save so, all in all, it was another solid display and crucial three points.”

Yet again a settled back line, marshalled by Riley, looked at complete ease with the Casuals attacking threat, and despite Lovell being delighted with that he is quick to share the praise.

“Defensively we were very sound again, they are getting better with every game. But this is not just down to the back four. Jonah [Paul Jones] and Mark [Lovell] defend from the front superbly and the midfield are working tirelessly to provide the defence with cover. When we defend from the front it has a knock-on effect for the whole team, so at the moment it is a valuable team effort.”

Frustratingly the Eastbourne Town game on Tuesday night was postponed for a second time at Homelands because of a waterlogged pitch, despite this Lovell was in philosophical mood.

“It’s obviously quite annoying not to get the games in when we are playing well but then again you don’t want to play on a bad pitch and slip up against a side you would probably beat on a better day. Hopefully the weather holds-up now and we can play all our forthcoming home fixtures.”

Walton Casuals visit Homelands tomorrow and Lovell is certainly not deceived by their position in the lower reaches of the Ryman South Division.

And Lovell said: “If you look at the form table then, you will see Eastbourne Town in second place and Walton Casuals in fifth position. They have picked up recently and will provide tough opposition.

“We know that the teams down below can beat anyone in this division, Horsham (YMCA) nearly snuck a point at Dover on Monday, their are no easy games in this league. Saying that though, if we do things correctly then I’m confident we can get the win.”

See the Nuts and Bolts attempt to avenge a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Casuals earlier this season when they welcome the Surrey side to Homelands this Saturday. Kick-off 3pm.

DARTFORD are taking at least FOUR coach loads of supporters for the “Suffolk Showdown” at AFC Sudbury tomorrow.

The top-of-the-table clash will attract a huge crowd at King’s Marsh Stadium, and Darts boss Tony Burman has been boosted with the return of their playmaking midfielder Eddie McClements.

The influential midfielder done some light training last night and had no reaction earlier today and will be added to the squad.

And Brad Potter had a scan last Sunday and has been given the all clear to start playing after some two months and will begin his comeback for the under 21’s tomorrow.

Table-topping Burman told www.dartfordfc.co.uk: “The support that we are taking with us tomorrow is fantastic. Some four coaches and many, many cars to follow is something special.”

He added: “One thing is for sure that the players in the squad will work very hard to get three points we want to add to the tally.”

Visit club websites:

www.doverathletic.com

www.wellingunited.com

www.bromleyfc.net

www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

www.dartfordfc.co.uk