Soccer Shorts: Whitstable Town invite applications for vacant manager's role

Friday 23rd April 2010

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EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has thanked the club’s loyal supporters for their support during a difficult season and urged the travelling support to make one final, colourful and vociferous effort at Tamworth tomorrow.

"I appreciate everyone's support going into the last game of the season," the Fleet boss told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk.

"It would be great to see as many supporters as possible getting behind the players and sharing the emotion that will be going with it on Saturday. Thanks for all your support this year - and believe!”

Daish added: "We'll approach it in exactly the same manner as we'll go there and I'll ask the players to give everything for the cause.”

But Tamworth manager Gary Mills has promised no quarter will be given. "We owe it to clubs like Gateshead to be professional and I can promise them we will be. We won't be lying down. We will go out for the three points and then celebrate."

Tamworth have won seven and lost eight of their home games this season and of course triumphed 1-0 at Stonebridge Road earlier this campaign.

In their last three games they have won three, drawn two and lost one. Their last defeat at home was a 1-0 reverse to Rushden on March 6.

The Fleet boss hopes to utilise the energy of Fleet fans who are expected to number around 300 or more with calls to wear yellow like their players.

A list on MyFC alone of attendees is already 100-strong, including 50 confirmed on the supporters coach.

The coach will be leaving at 10.00am sharp from outside the ground in Stonebridge Road. Last-minute bookings can be had at £13 per person and to travel you must be booked. Ring Jessica or Graham on 01634 201026.

So what do the Fleet have to do exactly on Saturday? Well, at the bare minimum, a win is essential. Anything less and the Kent club will go down.

Should they win, we also need other results to go in their favour. If the Fleet get three points, they will stay up in the event that Gateshead lose or draw at home to AFC Wimbledon AND Eastbourne lose at home to Oxford United.

The Fleet can afford Eastbourne to draw their game only Ebbsfleet we win by two clear goals or more. A

2-0 win would put us level on goal difference with Eastbourne but ahead of them on goals scored.

If either Gateshead or Eastbourne get three points, then Ebbsfleet are relegated regardless of their own result or any others.

Histon and Forest Green can also still be relegated but as we cannot catch them in any eventuality, they are of no real concern to the Fleet on Saturday.

WELLING UNITED complete their Blue Square South campaign with a home game against Basingstoke Town at Park View Road tomorrow.

The Wings will finish their campaign in ninth place in the table if they beat the Hampshire side and player-manager Jamie Day told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he is proud of his achievements in his first managerial role.

“We will be looking to finish the season on a good note and try to finish as high as possible in the league,” said Day.

“It won’t be an easy game as they are capable of beating most sides in the league, so we will need to make sure we put in a decent performance.

“I have enjoyed this season and learnt a lot. The boys have picked themselves up from a poor start but we ran out of steam at the vital time.

“We have now got to build on the standard we have set and try to improve next season.”

DOVER ATHLETIC have something to play for when they welcome Staines Town to Crabble tomorrow.

Welsh side Newport County clinched the Blue Square South title weeks ago, but the play-off places haven’t been settled and all could still change by five o’clock tomorrow.

Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic go into tomorrow’s game against Staines in third-place in the table, but the Kent side could still finish in any of the four play-off places by the final whistle.

Chelmsford City will claim second spot with an away win at Hampton & Richmond Borough, whilst Bath City, Braintree Town, Woking and Havant & Waterlooville also have a chance.

Staines, who clinched promotion from the Ryman Premier League with the Whites last season, arrive at Crabble in eighth place - and Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he expects no easy ride.

“Tough game tomorrow, it won’t be easy as thy have nothing to play for so the pressure is off them now,” he said.

“We want to win our last game so that we could finish second.”

Reflecting on the Kent club’s campaign, Hessenthaler added: “As for the campaign whatever happens under the circumstances of having so many injuries over the season I think the players have been fantastic. I couldn’t ask anymore from them.”

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he wants more stability at Longmead Stadium next season.

The Angels’ play-off hopes were ended in upsetting circumstances at Wealdstone last night - their penultimate league game of the season - and Warrilow wants to have a settled squad in place for next season.

He was forced to offload several players during last summer as his playing budget was cut and had to run on a smaller squad this season.

Warrilow had to offload players after Christmas, including Carl Rook (Dartford) and Steve Ferguson (Bromley) as the wet weather took it’s toll on home fixtures.

Warrilow, whose side cannot clinch a play-off place in the Ryman Premier League, travel to Aveley tomorrow, a side that can.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve had different teams every season, lots of players coming and going,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk following Wealdstone’s smash-and-grab 2-1 win last night.

“You want to keep some stability at a club, but unfortunately we’ve just not been able to have it for one reason or another.

“Hopefully we can get a stable set of lads here. You look whose here at the end of the season and who was here at the start.

“You can always have a few new additions to the team. If we can have a bit of stability that will bode well and obviously I’ll be sitting down with the board and the chairman.”

CRAY WANDERERS chairman Gary Hillman says he is “really chuffed” that long-serving manager Ian Jenkins has maintained the club’s Ryman Premier League status.

The Bromley-based club escaped relegation last Tuesday - despite losing at home to second-placed Sutton United - and the club will celebrate following their game against Horsham at Hayes Lane tomorrow.

“I said at the beginning of the season if we come fifth-from-bottom it will be a right result,” Mr Hillman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“You see some of the teams in our league and some teams below us in division, Dulwich Hamlet, Leatherhead etc, and you’ve got some really big teams there.

“Playing at this standard is a really good standard so I’m pleased for everyone, especially Jenko, Joe (Francis), Blado (Paul Blade), John Woolf, Martin (Hodson) and the other people on the committee.”

A small section of the supporters wanted Jenkins out of the door, but Mr Hillman stands by his man and his loyalty has been rewarded with survival.

“Jenko was a bit worried at the beginning of the season when I signed a bit of paper saying to Jenko if you get no points you’ll still be manager because his heart’s Cray, cut him in half and his amber and black,” said the chairman.

“We’ve learnt a lot this season,” Mr Hillman added. “We started off playing a bit too much football if anything and we’ve learnt to mix it up a little bit and I think it’s good experience.

“The players will sit down with the management (to discuss their futures) and the higher we keep going up we’ll get more respect and players will want to come and play for us, playing at a good venue and everything. I think we can go on from here really.

Meanwhile, the club are in the process of unveiling events to celebrate their 150th anniversary - Cray Wanderers are the second oldest football club in the world.

To mark the anniversary celebrations, there will be a Cray Wanderers Exhibition at the Bromley Museum in Orpington, between 10 May and 26 June.

There will be lots of exhibits on show, which depict the club’s history.

A special match has been arranged between Cray Wanderers and Crockenhill at the Wands’ former St Mary Cray Recreation Ground on Saturday, 3rd July.

The game will start at 1pm and will b a part of the Cray Festival Week. It will also kick-off the club’s 150th competitive season and means that it’ll be the first time in nearly 40 years that the club will be playing in St Mary Cray.

The Cray chairman updated supporters this week on the progress being made as to regards the club’s new stadium at Sandy Lane.

“We’re hoping to put a planning application in by the end of this year,” said Mr Hillman. “It’s all on target, we know there’s a lot of boxes to tick but it’s all about getting the infrastructure right.

“We don’t want to go hammer and tongs and the infrastructure is not right. If we can get the infrastructure right with the ground, the skies the limit basically as Dartford have demonstrated.

“Dartford have set the module for it and we’re just trying to recreate that.”

When asked the opening date of the club’s new stadium, Mr Hillman replied, “I’ve always said at the beginning of season 2014-15 is our aim. I know it seems a long way away but these things take time. I’m in the development game so I know about planning, it drives you mad!”

MAIDSTONE UNITED boss Peter Nott takes his side to Kingstonian tomorrow, knowing the pressure is off his side having clinched the win that they needed to maintain their Ryman Premier League status last night.

Adrian Stone scored the only goal of the game to beat Bognor Regis Town at Homelands Stadium in their penultimate game of the season to avoid relegation.

“I’m still on a massive high after last night’s victory secured our Ryman Premier status,” Nott told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“The boys worked extremely hard last night to get the 3 points we needed to ensure our safety.

“For periods of the game we had to defend in numbers and we did that superbly right throughout the team.

“We knew Bognor would come at us from the start but despite their possession, they created very little and as the half progressed we were getting stronger.

“We asked the boys to up the tempo in the second half and we got off to a flying start when Stoney fired us ahead.

“We didn’t sit back on the lead and I still can’t believe even now how Stoney’s second effort hit the underside of the bar instead of going in.

“Despite losing the physical and aerial presence of PK (James Peacock) and Rob Lyall to injuries we weathered the storm that Bognor threw at us in the closing stages to clinch that so important win.”

Praising the supporters, Nott added: “The reception you gave the players at the end of the game was fantastic and one that we will all remember for a very long time.

“With our home form being so poor throughout the season it was very pleasing to reward you with 3 home wins on a spin especially as they were all ‘6 pointer’ games against teams fighting hard for survival.

“The players showed a lot of character and desire in these games and in the end we all got our just rewards.”

Looking ahead to their trip to Kingstonian tomorrow, Nott said: “This season has been turbulent on and off the field for everybody connected with the club, however before we sign off for a much needed rest we need to finish the season off with a good professional performance against a high flying Kingstonian side who are in need of a victory to clinch their ‘play off’ place.”

Mark Cornielle (calf), Peacock (groin) and Tom Parkinson will all be missing through injury, but everyone else should be able to shrug off minor knocks to face their fourth game in eight days.

THAMESMEAD TOWN are searching for fresh blood to assist run the club off the pitch next season.

The Bayliss Avenue club are looking for a turnstile operator, commercial manager and press officer.

The turnstile operator will be a paid position and will involve some other match-day duties.

The post holder will be expected to commit to all home matches through out the season, which includes 21 Ryman League matches and possible F.A. Cup, F.A. Trophy matches plus others as requested.

If you are interested please contact Albert Panting either on 07957 194640 or via E-Mail at gianpaulo.panting@btinternet.com

The role of commercial manager is vital in securing income through advertising revenue achieved with pitch side advertising and sponsorship.

The role would be ideal for somebody with the time to cold call on local and regional level businesses to secure advertising deals with Thamesmead Town Football Club.

Remuneration would be based on commission only and you will have total control over marketing strategy and hours worked.

If you are interested please contact Albert Panting either on 07957 194640 or via E-Mail at gianpaulo.panting@btinternet.com

The club are looking for a new Press Officer. This voluntary role would suit somebody with a passion for football or somebody looking to make a break in to football reporting or journalism.

The current press officer will be on hand to provide support to the person taking over this role.

It is expected that the applicant will have the following skills:

- a good use of English and a basic understanding of football reporting

- commitment of time to attend first team matches, home and away

- (possibly)some experience of administering websites

Duties include

- sending a weekly match report to four local newspapers two radio stations, two websites and other football press (contacts will be provided)

- updating match reports for all matches and news of the club on Newsshopper.co.uk website

- Filing match reports on home Saturday matches to Non League Paper and Non League News 24 website no later than 6:30PM

- Fielding calls from local radio stations (BBC London, BBC Kent)

- Working with key partners to ensure consistent message and appropriate lines of media are used with regards to Sporting Club Thamesmead project

- Interviewing 1st Team manager and players for comment

The following are optional duties:

- (optional) Filming, editing, producing and voicing narrative on matches and interviews for Thamesmead TV,

-Updating and maintaining the club website (between 1-5 hours a week depending upon matches, news, events)

If you are interested please contact Kevin White on 07973 981 633 or ttfcpress@hotmail.co.uk

VCD ATHLETIC are staging their end-of-season presentation tomorrow night as the Crayford based club celebrate what has been a historic first year in the Ryman League.

A coach is being provided for the last game of the season at Ware tomorrow, before the entire first team squad will be heading back to the club at Old Road, Crayford, with the reserve team and fans for an evening of celebrations.

With a superb season that has seen the club reach the dizzy heights of 5th place and certain to finish in the top half the choices for Player of the Year are varied with the superb young guns of the Bradshaws (Tom and Jack), Mitchell, Ibemere, Asbury, Walsh and Cole and the impressive new signings of Chris Tedder, Barton, Watson, Firth, O’Shea and Dolby or will the trophies go to the double winning squad of James Tedder, Hunt, Cook, Winchcombe, Ward, Hogg, Penny, Hegley, Maskell, Rice or even the new Margate legend Leroy Huggins.

A club statement said: “We understand that former favourites Dean Frost and Leroy Huggins will be along for the presentation also as they were both heavily involved in the successes this year. Supporters and wives/girlfriends are expected to be in the bar from 7pm onwards to celebrate an historic debut season in the Ryman League.”

FOLKESTONE INVICTA are delighted to announce that seven of their young starts have signed player contracts with the Cheriton Road for next season.

Manager Neil Cugley has snapped up Jack Delo, Josh Burchell, Liam Dickson, Liam Friend, Josh Vincent, Frankie Chappell and James Everitt on

Club Director Brian Merryman welcomes the news and feels it will bode well for the next season regardless of the level at which the club is then playing,

“It is very good for the club to get these things decided in good time and the commitment of the players to the Club is heartening after all the previous uncertainty,” he told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

Cugley recognises the importance to the club of its current younger players staying together as a group.

He said: "As a defensive unit this group of players is remarkably effective at this level, and they will give us a very solid base on which to build for next season.

“Further forward, James Everitt's progress has been great to watch too, and he's made quite a few chances and goals out of chasing down lost causes."

Cugley confirms that all of the current squad will be invited back for pre-season in July.

Meanwhile, Folkestone Invicta will play their Ryman League Division One South rivals Sittingbourne in the Kent Senior Cup Final at Cheriton Road on Tuesday 4th May (7:45pm).

WHITSTABLE TOWN invite applicants for the position of first team manager to be submitted by next Friday, 30th April.

Long-serving goalkeeper coach Mark Lane took the reigns on a caretaker basis following Mark Munday’s departure in March and successfully kept the club in the Ryman League with a win away to Corinthian-Casuals last weekend.

Applicants are invited to send CV’s to chairman Joe Brownett. However, he is happy for you to phone him on 07802 717840 to lodge your interest and discuss the manager’s position in more detail. Application will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Mr Brownett told www.kentishfootball.co.uk “We will look at all applicants, including those still at the club and involved in the past to take on the exciting task or progressing in the Ryman South for another season.

“This will be our fourth season in the Ryman and we have very much enjoyed our time with them and will be looking to consolidate next season with the aim of finishing as high as possible in the league. We are committed to bringing youngsters through to the 1st team; if they are good enough they will get their chance to play at The Belmont.”

ERITH TOWN welcome Hythe Town to the Erith Sports Stadium tomorrow with manager Steve O’Boyle looking to end on a high note.

The Dockers were expected to perform a lot better than seventh place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, although the same could be said of Hythe, who have under-performed in fourth - 24 points behind promoted champions Faversham Town.

“We want to finish the season with a win,” Dockers boss Steve O’Boyle told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“My thoughts on the season are we should have done better!”

GREENWICH BOROUGH finish their campaign with a home game against Deal Town tomorrow and manager Steve Firkins wants his side to finish well.

Borough were beaten by promoted champions Faversham Town in the Kent Senior Trophy final at Welling United’s Park View Road last Sunday and Firkins wants three points tomorrow to make it a good season.

“We still have plenty to play for and we’ll go into this game looking to take three points, as I fully expect Deal to do,” Firkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’ll soon get over our disappointment of Sunday’s Cup final with an excellent win on Wednesday against third-placed Beckenham Town.

“All the lads have worked hard this season and I’m proud of every one of them.

“It’s all about progression for us and although I’m disappointed being so far off points wise with the top two teams, I think we can build on what we have built over this and last season to com back stronger next season.

“We would like to congratulate Justin Luchford and his Faversham team and wish them every success next season in the Ryman League.”

HOLMESDALE, who are based at Oakley Road, Bromley, are looking for enthusiastic, hardworking and trustworthy volunteers to fill some vacancies at the Bulmers Cider Kent League club next season.

Acting secretary Simon Kidby would like to hear from people who would like to fill the roles of club secretary, fixture secretary, treasurer, programme editor, commercial manager (commission available), press officer and club shop manager.

Previous experience is desirable but not essential.

Interested parties should contact Mr Kidby - secretary@holmesdalefc.co.uk

LORDSWOOD complete their Kent League campaign with a home game against Corinthian tomorrow and Jason Lillis and John Guest begin their preparations for next season.

The Medway side will finish their campaign in last place and the management pair will be looking to improve matters on the pitch next term.

“Having sat down with Jason and the reserve team manager we decided it is the time to give younger lads a chance not only to the first team but to the reserves also,” Guest told www.lordswoofc.co.uk.

“The name of the reserves next season will be the Under 21’s. There will be the exception’s as we have some excellent players over that age who will bring on the younger lads as well as players who are returning from suspension or injury turning out for them.

“With players like Rob Norman, George Hayes, Nathan White, Dan Delaney and Chris Le Mar all playing or being involved with us and the likes of Adam Whitnall, Alex Shell and Charlie Lillis (yes the Gaffers son - having seen him play for the reserves, I did not hesitate to suggest to the Gaffer to give him a feel of first team football). All of the above having the odd game and we will see more from them next season. The reserve team management have done us proud since we arrived back in October as you can see.

“We have also made big strides to bring the Lordswood youth into the fold and have given, between all of the coaching staff and management, various coaching sessions and meet the players etc. for all age groups starting at under 8’s who you will see Saturday as ball boys.

“This has been very important, as these groups as well as players filtering in from various other teams will be the future

“We will be fielding one under 15 team next year in the Kent League with Trevor Kitto managing, and hopefully more in the league the following season. There are a number of reasons. The first being to get a better bond with local players and more will become Supporters of our club and the other obviously to bring through quality players to help us progress up the division’s.”

SEVENOAKS TOWN looked like their old selves in their 2-1 win against Norton on Tuesday night, winning at Herne Bay for the third time this season.

They were boosted by the return of Joe Creasey, whose introduction made the difference, as he laid on the winner for Billy Shinners, his 20th in his first season in the Kent League, and could have got a couple himself before the end.

The only downside was the red card for Chris Walker five minutes before half-time, Sevenoaks’ second dismissal against Norton this season, after John Alegbe was dismissed in similar fashion in the home meeting in October.

Boss Simon Jones told www.sevenoakstownfc.org how disappointed he was with winger Walker.

"Chris has apologised to his team-mates, and I know there were mitigating circumstances, but he has learned a hard lesson.

"Playing 10 against 11 is never easy, and Norton did come at us in the second half, but I thought we were disciplined and effective.

"We tried to make their football predictable, and I think apart from the penalty we did that."

He added: "Joe really caught the eye when he came on, gave us different options and set up Billy to score a great goal. Alfred Keroma also did well, and finished nicely for his goal."

TUNBRIDGE WELLS under 16’s side have the chance of lifting some silverware on Sunday (6pm kick-off) when they lock horns with Ashford Borough in the Causeway Steel Challenge Cup Final at Lordswood’s Martyn’s Grove.

“Ashford Borough are a good footballing side, and have many good players themselves,” Wells manager Darrell Cousins told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“They always look to play the ball early, but if we can stick to our game-plan then I'm sure we will be alright.

“We have some unfinished business with them, as we have yet to beat them in three games we’ve played against them in the past. Maybe this is our time… all the previous games have been very close affairs settled in their favour by the odd goal.

“There’s no reason to think Sunday’s Final won’t be close too.”

In discussing the Final, though, it becomes clear Cousins is far less concerned with the reward silverware would bring to him for the work he’s put into the players and the club over the years.

“To win the Cup would mean they [the players] have been rewarded with all the hard work they have put in over the last three years. It wouldn’t only be for them, though, but for the club. It’s been a long time since we have had some silverware in the cupboard at Culverden.

“I'm sure nerves will play a part, but that sometimes can be a good thing and could be channeled to give the boys the edge. If you're too relaxed you can fall into that dreaded comfort-zone which is hard to get out of. Ultimately, win or lose on Sunday, we have a great bunch of lads and some will go on to play at Senior level. It would be the icing on the cake to pick up that Cup!”

Admission at Lordswood FC on Sunday will cost £5 on the gate, and it is thought a good number of regular Wells supporters will be travelling.

Cousins added: “I would just like to thank all the supporters in advance who decide to make the trip. Let’s hope we can lift the Cup, or send them home realizing what future talent we have here at the Wells!”

CRAY WANDERERS’ stalwart Kerry Phillips has told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that managers here in Kent should get themselves to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park on Sunday 2nd May.

“The Get-Signed-Up organisation will stage three games of one hours duration, 30 minutes each-way,” he said.

“Teams will consist of players recently, or about to be, released from professional clubs.

“The games are known as “Showcase” matches. These games are put on at various venues throughout the country on a regional basis.

“The aim is to let local managers and scouts see who is available when they are forming their squads for next season.

“It is expected that a great number of representatives from all levels of non-league football will attend.

Managers should contact organiser Mark Phillips for more details - 07702 036 186 or by email markphillips61@hotmail.com .