4thjan04

Sunday 04th January 2004

Sampson signs Bromley trio

Tommy Sampson, manager of Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Dartford, has signed three players from Ryman League Division One South outfit Bromley, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sampson contacted new Bromley boss Alan Walker as he tries to bolster his squad after he was crippled with injuries to five key players.

But Sampson hasn't ruled out a return to Hayes Lane for John Butler, Paul Vines and Grant Watts.

Sampson said: "All three players have signed for Dartford and are here for the foreseeable future. Its an open ended agreement until the end of the season. If Alan Walker needs someone he can call me and the players can return to Bromley. He has first refusal on all three players."

Starting eight first team games for Bromley, eighteen year old, John Butler is a composed central defender who learnt his trade in the Charlton Athletic Academy before joining the Ravens at the beginning of last season.

Paul Vines, however, is a striker who was a member of Cray Wanderers reserve side before breaking into the Bromley first team squad in October scoring on his debut after coming on as a late substitute in the Ravens 5-0 win at Leatherhead. He also scored in Bromley's 2-0 win over Croydon last month.

The last in the trio is experienced striker Grant Watts. He has made 68 appearances for Bromley scoring 13 goals. A former Crystal Palace professional, he was forced into the non-league game after breaking his leg and played for Banstead Athletic, Egham Town and Croydon.

Last week, former Tonbridge Angels manager, Walker released Tony Reid and Dean Forbes. Reid made the switch from Ryman League Division One South rivals, Lewes in the summer after scoring 24 goals for the Sussex club last term. In 29 games for Bromley this season, Reid found the net 8 times.

Forbes, however, made a total of 55 appearances, scoring 9 goals in two spells at Hayes Lane before his release due to work commitments.

Last season's player of the year, Joe Vines has left Bromley and has joined Dr Martens League Premier Division side Crawley Town. He joined Bromley at the start of last season from Kent League side Cray Wanderers, and his performances last season helped him win all three player of the year awards at Hayes Lane. He played 71 games for Bromley scoring only once.

Walker joined Bromley from Dr Martens League Eastern Division Tonbridge Angels before Christmas and brought his assistant, Lloyd Hume, and his captain, Peter Overton with him. He then went onto sign Andy Larkin and Sam Tydeman and both made their debuts in Bromley's 2-1 win at Molesey on New Year's Day.

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