We want to keep players on their toes during pre-season, says Erith & Belvedere boss Martin Ford

ERITH & BELVEDERE co-manager Martin Ford has unveiled some of his summer signings as the club look to embark on their inaugural Ryman League Division One North with almost a different team from last season’s Kent League double winning team.

As soon as manager Micky Collins and his management team quit the Park View Road club only 12 days after beating Corinthian 4-1 to win the Macron Kent League Cup, players were quick to jump ship.

Only goalkeeper Jack Bradshaw, defender Allan Matthews and midfielder Paul Springett – who was expected to retire at the end of last season - have stayed loyal to the club.

Striker Andy Constable, 33, who bagged 63 goals during his two seasons at Park View Road, has put pen to paper to sign for Southern Counties East Football League side Tunbridge Wells.

Striker Adam Burchell has been snapped up by Ryman League Division One South side Leatherhead.

Defender Richard Davies, 19, has signed for Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United.

Striker Richmond Kissi has signed for Ryman League Division One South newboys Redhill.

Brothers Lewis and Jamie Wood, meanwhile, have dropped back down a division to sign for Cray Valley.

Central defender George Benner played the first 56 minutes of Whitstable Town’s opening pre-season friendly at home to Dagenham & Redbridge yesterday, and boss Nicky Southall was pleased with his trial.

The former Gillingham ace said: “I thought George Benner did ok in flashes. It was his first game and he did ok. I was delighted with his attitude.  Lots still to improve on.”

This has left former Fisher boss Ford to start from virtually scratch as the club prepares for the new season.

Earlier arrivals included Sam Gent, Luke Tanner, Jamie Miller and Ben Healy, who arrive from Cray Valley.

Fisher pair Daniel Willis, Aaron Jeffrey have also put pen to paper for the club, while goalkeeper Billy Hensman, 17, is on a dual-registration deal between the two clubs. 
 
Joe Ford, 22, Martin Barnard and Darren Mace also left Cray Valley to form the coaching team alongside Ford and Chris Cosgrove at Park View Road.

Martin Ford has unveiled the signing of defender Aidan Sherlock, who joins from Faversham Town, who finished in third-place in the Ryman League Division One South table last season, going down 3-0 at Maidstone United in the play-off final.

“Aidan is a big signing for us,” Martin Ford said of the former Margate defender when issuing a statement to www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk.

“He has Ryman League experience and played a big part in a successful side last year and we are delighted to welcome him to Erith & Belvedere.”

Full-back James Golding is one of a number of players that have arrived from Cray Valley (Paper Mills).

“James is a very exciting prospect and has a big future ahead of him,” said Ford.

“I’m glad that he has put pen to paper despite interest from other teams in both the Ryman and Southern Counties East Football League.”

Ford also announced that midfielder Richard Morgan has joined the club from Whyteleafe.

He said: “Richard was recommended to us by our coaching staff and has really impressed us during pre-season so far.  He is another player that we feel will come through for us.”

The Deres kick-off their nine-match pre-season campaign against Kent Invicta League side Orpington next Saturday.

The game will be played at Sparrows Den, Corkscrew Hill, West Wickham, with a 1:30pm kick-off.

Ford said: “The lads have worked very hard during our four training sessions so far.

“Myself and Chris Cosgrove are very happy with how things are developing.

“We have a good mixture of youth and experience which I feel will be vital next season.

“Competition for places are high and that’s exactly what we want.  We want to keep players shape and on their toes during pre-season.

“Our coaching staff have done a fantastic job so far and the lads look in good shape.

“We are hoping to announce some more signings over the next few days.”

Meanwhile, the club are searching for a new physio after former Greenwich Borough and Fisher physio Ally Maloney has left the club to join their league rivals VCD Athletic, who were last season’s Kent League runners-up.

Anyone interested in becoming the club’s new physio should email Adam Peters at clubsec_erithandbelvedere@live.com.

Elsewhere, central midfielder Lea Dawson, who helped Thamesmead Town clinch promotion in to the Ryman Premier League at the end of last season, has been offered a trial with their league rivals next season, Maidstone United.

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk