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Gillingham – Adam Barrett and Myles Weston were both successful penalty takers as Southend beat Wycombe 7-6 on penalties in the League Two Play Off Final. Meanwhile, the Gills have confirmed a sixth pre season game in the county by confirming a trip down Bluebell Hill to the Gallagher Stadium on Monday 27th July with a 7:45pm kick off.
Bromley – Manager Mark Goldberg today confirmed the signings of Lee Minshull and Max Porter. The pair arrive from League Two side Newport County. Both Lee and Max were part of the Welsh side that finished third in the National League back in 2013, reaching the Conference National Play-off Final where they beat Wrexham in the final at Wembley Stadium to gain promotion to the Football League. On the latest additions Goldberg told the Bromley website, “We are pleased to be able to add both National League and League Two experience to our squad with these two significant signings.”
Dover Athletic – Dover Athletic are pleased to announce a new kit supply partnership with Genesis Sports. The one year deal includes the supply of PUMA branded kit and training wear for the 2015-16 season. Whites’ Chairman, Jim Parmenter, said “We’ve revisited our kit supply strategy several times over the past few years, but we believe we have finally found a kit partner capable of delivering high quality kit and sportswear for the club and its supporters, in a timely and professional manner. We look forward to working with Genesis Sports this coming season and look forward to building a long and prosperous relationship.”
Welling United – The Wings have announced that two more signings from last season’s squad are staying at the club. Zach Fagan and Tashan Adeyinka have both put pen to paper on deals for the 2015/16 season. Fagan joined the Wings last summer and was utilised in both defence and midfield during his first season in senior football. Adeyinka was plucked from Maidenhead by Fazakerley and he added a new dimension to the Wings attack during the final two months of the campaign. Tash scored a great goal at Woking in early April, though he missed the final run-in due to injury.
Dartford – no new news this week.
Ebbsfleet United – The Fleet have today completed a deal for Whitehawk playmaker and midfielder John Paul Kissock. The 25-year-old former England C international impressed in the Hawks’ run to the promotion final in 2014/15, clocking up 41 appearances in all competitions last term. He played in both games against the Fleet last season and also lined up against the club for Macclesfield in 2012/13.
Maidstone United – The Stones have signed former West Ham defender Callum Driver.The 22-year-old joined Dartford last November and made more than 25 league and cup appearances for Tony Burman’s side. Driver began his career with The Hammers at the age of 12 and the east London club loaned him to Burton Albion during the 2011/12 season, where he made eight appearances. His West Ham first team debut came at The City Ground in an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest in January 2014. After his release from Upton Park, he moved to Conference South team Whitehawk at the start of last season.
Margate – Following their long overdue promotion, Margate have seven of the squad as Manager Terry Brown and his Assistant Stuart Cash start planning ahead of the 2015/16 campaign in the Vanarama National League South. Matthew Armstrong-Ford, Mitchell Nelson, Tambeson Eyong, John Beales, Ben Gerring, Anthony Riviere and Tom Phipp have all been released from the club. Gate boss Terry Brown told the clubs official website that the decision was a very difficult one to take. “There is no doubt that this part of the job is the worst. Usually you have to release players at the end of the season because you haven’t achieved what you set out to do but that is not the case this time. We set out to win promotion and that is what we did and this is why this time it was even more difficult but having lost a few weeks we needed to act quickly to ensure that we continue to progress as a club. The players we have let go have been fantastic servants to the club and have helped Margate Football Club gain promotion and I am sure the fans will show their appreciation to them”.
Tonbridge Angels – Steve McKimm has added a striker and a goalkeeper to his squad for this season’s campaign in Ryman Premier. Luke Blewden will be no stranger to Angels fans and if timings had been different would in all probability have been at Longmead last season. The Angels goalkeeping vacancy is being filled by Anthony Di Bernado from another East Sussex club, Peacehaven & Telscombe. “I’m really pleased that these two players have agreed terms with us for this season. They both bring Ryman Premier experience with them and are key in building a squad that can challenge for a play off place come the end of the season”, McKimm told the official Angels website.
VCD Athletic – Following the arrival earlier in the week of Ashley Probets from Thamesmead Town for his second stint at the club Keith McMahon has been busy again with the signing of 22 year old Niko Muir a centre forward from Northwood F.C who scored 28 goals in the Evo-stick southern division last season and 26 year old Lewis Dark centre midfielder whose previous clubs include Witham, Maldon and Grays Athletic.
Cray Wanderers – its deja-vu for Cray in pre season as they’ll now visit the Badger Sport Ground twice in 48 hours as the club have arranged a friendly with Cray Valley PM on Thursday, 30th July (7.45 kick off) after facing Erith Town there on Tuesday 28th July.
Phoenix Sports – No new news this week
Thamesmead Town – manager Terry Spillane has spent no time signing the majority of last season’ squad as the clubs position in Ryman League Division One North was confirmed along with Cray Wanderers and Phoenix Sports. Last season’s top scorer Tyrus Gordon-Young was amongst the first to re-sign for the Mead, who at the same time have lost skipper Ashley Probets to VCD Athletic.
Chatham Town – the Chats are back in the Ryman South Division, what great news for our supporters, players and the Club. Club chairman Jeff Talbot has been talking to the Chats official website, “Following what has felt an eternity playing away games as far away as Wroxhan in Norfolk we can now look forward to playing derby matches up and down the A2 corridoor. Reflecting on our time in the North Division I must say that despite trying we may never get to the bottom of mysterious twists that season after season inexplicably allocated us to the North Division. That said whilst in the North Division we did find there were many well managed Clubs that offered us fantastic hospitatlity which made the pill easier for us to swallow. Nearly every one of the North Clubs signed our petition last season, which was aimed at raising awareness of our plight. On behalf of CTFC I send my thanks to those Clubs who supported us.” Mr Talbot’s full statement can be seen in full on the Chats official website
Faversham Town – No new news this week
Folkestone Invicta – Striker Richard Atkins believes that living in London, where he now works, has told Folkestone that it might make it difficult for him to stay at Invicta, while club legend Micheal Everitt has also told the Cheriton Road hierarchy that his work commitments may force him to quit playing. Neil Cugley told the clubs official website, “Atko’s living in Tooting now and I accept that could be a problem, but we’ll have to see if we can sort something out with both him and Mev.” Talks are continuing as Cugley bids to add at least a couple of new faces to last season’s runners-up squad. He said: “It’s like this every year at this time. Some players are away on holiday, or you get a couple of rejections and have to think again, but I’m sure we are making progress. The two lads I’m after are good players with experience of playing at a higher level. Most of the squad have already signed on again, while we’re working on a couple of things with the others. I’ll be pleased when everything’s sorted out, but I’m more than happy with the situation at this moment.”
Herne Bay – After a third successive successful season Herne Bay Ladies will be playing in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League in 2015/16. Promotion was confirmed following Wednesday’s meeting of the FA Women’s Joint Liaison Committee after Herne Bay Ladies finished as runners up in the South East Counties Women’s Football League Premier Division last term. Winners, Dartford Royals who Herne Bay beat at Winch’s Field to retain the League Cup, declined promotion.
Ramsgate – The Rams have confirmed that two players who have reconsidered their commitment to Ramsgate and decided to sign elsewhere. In a statement on the club website, the Rams stated, “It’s disappointing for the club but we understand the players have been offered more money and have also been gauranteed starting places in their prefered positions, we were not prepared to do this as it goes against our team ethic of everyone in it together.”
Sittingbourne – No new news this week
Whitstable Town – Will Graham is confirmed the appointment of Simon Halsey as his assistant manager. Simon returns to the club in the role he held under Marc Seager. Also Steve Woollcott will return to the club as the first team coach. On the player front Luke Doherty has signed on for Whitstable Town for next season. Luke is the second player who initially indicated he was going to Ramsgate to re sign for ourselves following Ollie Gray’s announcement earlier in the week.