Stevenage swoop for Fleet ace

Wednesday 19th May 2010

FOOTBALL LEAGUE newcomers Stevenage - the artist formerly known as Stevenage Borough - have yesterday swooped to take Darius Charles away from Ebbsfleet United, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent club offered the 22-year-old defender the same terms as last season, but the former Brentford player opted to turn down a new contract to join ex-former Fleet stars at Broadhall Way.

Stevenage manager Graham Westley rates the England C international highly and the Blue Square Premier champions will now try to agree a mutually acceptable transfer fee with Ebbsfleet, failing which the fee will be decided by a tribunal.

Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace told www.stevenageborofc.com: “Graham has always liked Darius and we tried to buy him twice last season but couldn’t agree a fee.

“Graham believes he will add a lot to the squad as he is an outstanding player in several positions.”

Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish now faces a period of uncertainty, similar to last season, where he lost all out-of-contract players and had to build a team from scratch, which ultimately relegated the club.

The Stonebridge Road outfit hasn’t officially published it’s retained list - and there is a possibility that the club will revert to part-time status - having suffered the drop after eight-years in the top flight of non-league football.

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk