Soccer Shorts: We've not got a budget like Manchester City, says Butler

Friday 18th December 2009

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DOVER ATHLETIC are pulling out all the stops to ensure tomorrow’s Blue Square South game against St Albans City goes ahead.

Chairman Jim Parmenter has procured a full pitch protection system, made from multiple layers of specialist breathable materials, which has come in from Bristol. The covers keep the pitch protected from frost and snow, while allowing the ground below to breath.

Volunteers helped to put the giant protective sheets in place earlier in the week, just in time for the recent cold spell.

St Albans City will be leaving at half-past-nine - let’s hope they make it!

GOT IT COVERED: Dover Athletic have covered their Crabble pitch to ensure their Blue Square South game against St Albans City goes ahead tomorrow as planned.
Photograph courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

EBBSFLEET UNITED’S Blue Square Premier game at home to Histon looks certain to be postponed tomorrow due to a frozen/snowed in pitch at Stonebridge Road.

Posting a message on the club’s fan’s forum this morning, secretary Peter Danzey said, “At this moment I’m trying without much luck to get a referee to inspect the pitch, everyone is having travelling problems. It is fairly obvious the game is going to be off but it is a case of making it official.”

Histon's FA Carlsberg Trophy first round tie away to Maidstone United has already been called off twice before, due to unfit pitches at Homelands Stadium, and hope to finally get the game played next Tuesday, 22 December.

This game was, however, the first to be postponed, when referee, Mr Iain Cooper inspected the pitch on Friday following heavy snowfall overnight and concluded that itﾒs current state and the weather forecast left little chance that it would become playable by kick-off time tomorrow.

GILLINGHAM are looking for volunteers to help remove the snow off of the today, all volunteers will be given a free ticket for the Gills League One match with Stockport County tomorrow.

Volunteers would be required at the ground from midday today, to help please call John Plummer (Head Groundsman) or Kevin Hall on 01634 350206.

Volunteers will also be required tomorrow morning from 7am if it snows again. Volunteers need to bring shovels and or/brooms with them. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

MARGATE manager Mark Butler says he was disappointed with his side’s 3-2 defeat at Sittingbourne in the third round of the Championship Manager Cup.

Two late goals from Dan Stubbs was not enough, as it’s Sittingbourne that booked a trip to Concord Rangers or Billericay Town in the last sixteen next month.

“I’m very disappointed with the result at Sittingbourne,” Butler told Gate Radio - www.margate-fc.com.

“I thought it was more the manner of it (that concerned me)

“We’re under no illusions, 3-2 glossed over what could have been a three or four nil defeat. So I’m actually publicly saying that as well. I’m not hiding behind the fact that we got two late goals.”

Recent progress of the side as an attacking force has been clear for all to see, while problems remain at the other end of the pitch; a situation that the manager has been open about.

But feedback on Wednesday’s performance to Butler (who was not at the game due to other commitments) was that “it was an inept performance and there were questions marks about the desire (of the team).”

He added: “I want to publicly say, I wanted to do well in the league cup and I am disappointed we’re not in it.”

Subject to pitch conditions, Margate welcome Sutton United to Hartsdown Park tomorrow.

Anthony Joseph (who is on loan from Sutton United) has been ruled-out and Joe Healy will need a fitness test ahead of the Ryman Premier League clash.

Butler said: “The squad is pretty much picking itself. It’s how we use that squad (that makes a difference).”

Butler continues to work hard, looking at other players o improve the quality of the squad, while all the time looking to give players currently at the football club an opportunity to stake their claim on a place in the team.

“We are always looking to add to our squad. The squad at the moment is not big enough,” he said. “We’ve got to get the right player for Margate and we’ve got to solve the problem (of conceding goals) which has been there since I arrived.

He added: “I’m waiting on two phone calls today to se if we can add to the squad.

“We area wary of where we’ve got problems and we’re working hard (to resolve them). Unfortunately, we’re not in a position where we can go out and do a Manchester City of our level and say we want him, him, him and him.

“We’ve got to work within our budget and it’s a long process for us all, and I’m extremely optimistic about where I can take Margate and I think we should all stay really, really positive about it.”

TONBRIDGE ANGELS secretary Charlie Cole has explained why their midweek home game against Harrow Borough was postponed within 75 minutes of the scheduled kick-off.

The Ryman Premier League clash at Longmead Stadium was frozen off, and Mr Cole said: “It is the responsibility of the match referee to inspect the pitch. If you have an inspection by someone else other than the match referee it has to be a Level 3 referee and with his agreement.

“At 3.00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon the pitch was perfectly playable, however as night fell the temperature fell lower than expected hence the reason why the match referee postponed the game at 6.30 p.m.

“I spoke to Harrow Borough in the afternoon explaining that the pitch was playable at that point, and any referee inspecting at that time would have agreed, on that basis they travelled to Tonbridge, on the understanding that the match referee had still not actually seen the pitch.

“All club secretaries and managers know how the system works and we all accept on certain occasions you will get to ground only to find that game called off by the Match referee.”

On the subject of match officials’ expenses, Mr Cole added: “We have to pay the officials half their fees plus all their travelling expenses. Even if you get a referee in to inspect early, you still have to pay him travelling expenses as well.”

Meanwhile, Tonbridge Angels’ Championship Manager Cup Fourth Round home tie against Wealdstone has been confirmed for Tuesday, 5th January 2010 - subject to pitch conditions.

The club have also confirmed that tonight's quiz night has been cancelled due to the weather.

WHITSTABLE TOWN striker Stuart Vahid would like to point out that he, Dan Dolton and Dan Wisker did not cheat death, as reported in our article last weekend.

He said: “I would like to make it clear that we witnessed the tragic incident and were first on the scene. However, in no way did we cheat death or come any way near swerving past the car.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk would therefore like to apologise for our incorrect reporting.

BECKENHAM TOWN goalkeeper Nick Blue has broken his jaw, whilst playing Sunday League football, and the former Orpington stopper is expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season. Manager Jason Huntley, meanwhile, has found a suitable replacement, signing former Erith & Belvedere goalkeeper Jani Seitsonen.

FISHER hope to finally play Haringey Borough in the much-delayed London Senior Cup next week.

After the fifth postponement of the second round tie, the fixture has now been switched to Champion Hill, East Dulwich, next Wednesday, 23rd December, kicking off at 7:45pm.

Fisher are hoping for a bumper crowd on Wednesday night in their only cup competition of the season and are keen to get their hands on a trophy won by previous incarnation Fisher Athletic five times.

Haringey Borough themselves have also one the competition in recent years beating Walthamstow 1-0 in the 1990-91 final.

Admission prices have been confirmed as just £5 (adults), £3 (seniors) and £1 (under 16s).

HERNE BAY have acted swiftly following their postponed Kent League games against Hythe Town and Lordswood by arranging a friendly match against Vandanel Kent County League neighbours Canterbury City.

“The club tried to re-arrange last week’s postponed Kent League fixtures but neither Hythe or Lordswood wished to play on Monday 28th or Tuesday 29th December,” explained chairman John Bathurst, when speaking to www.hernebayfc.net.

“Canterbury City were approached and we can confirm, subject to weather conditions, that the game will be played at Winch’s Field on Monday, 28th December, kicking off at 3pm.

“So if you are fed up with the telly or the missus, or both, then bring the kids along and support the Bay.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS has continued its recent policy of signing promising U16 players on first team forms with the signing of defender and youth team captain, Ben Williamson.

As with the signing of Ryan Waterman, this latest signing represents a continued commitment to building a side based around local players, while also encouraging the best local players to develop and progress in Senior football.

Like Waterman, Williamson has been training with the first team, and getting a taste for what is involved being a part of the first team set-up, and his potential hasn’t gone un-noticed.

“Ben is an exceptional young talent,” first team manager Martin Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“He has been scoring goals from right back for the U16s, and is another one who is training well with the first team squad. He definitely has a bright future if he continues to apply himself as he has been.”

Having put pen to paper at the weekend, Williamson is looking forward to the prospect of developing with the Culverden club.

“Being signed for Tunbridge Wells’ first team gives me a great opportunity to play at a higher level and to improve my football,” he anticipated.

During the five years that he has been working with him, current Tunbridge Wells U16 coach Darrell Cousins is confident Williamson will progress in Senior football.

“Ben was originally a Pembury player who always impressed when I watched him play at the age of 11. He played in the midfield for them, and was also selected for the Crowborough League representative side. Ben is the kind of player you're glad to have on your side - he always gives everything. His fitness is exceptional and over the years he has grown in confidence.

“I decided to switch him to right back, and this really seemed to bring out his potential. He is a tremendous attacking full back, and is our second top goal scorer for the season.

“Training with the senior players has moved him up another gear, and we thank Martin Larkin and his coaching staff for the opportunity they have given all the players.

“Ben has still got to progress a little, but as he is always willing to learn. I’m sure he will advance to senior football. Ben deserves everything that he achieves. It has been a pleasure to have had him in my squad for the last five years.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will keep you informed of all the postponements tomorrow - and will endeavour to cover a game, subject to the conditions of road and rail.