4thsept03

VCD Athletic sign Coatham and Northover

VCD Athletic manager Martin Ford announced on Wednesday the double signing of Steve Coatham and Brett Northover, writes Stephen McCartney.

Coatham has made the switch from Maidstone United and Northover has signed from Dr Martens League side Dartford.

Ford, 40, who owns his own print company, said: "Steve Coatham won't play against his old side Maidstone United on Saturday because he is lacking match fitness.  Brett Northover will be in the squad, though, and will be making his debut."

Both have been drafted in as lengthy suspensions have hit two key defenders.  Terry Barry is facing a five week suspension and fellow centre half Clayton Probetts will be out for three weeks, so the Bexley based manager has acted swiftly to sign replacements.

VCD Athletic are £1,000 better off following their FA Cup Preliminary Round 2-1 victory over Dr Martens League outfit Eastleigh last week.

Ford said: "We are fourth in the Kent League and doing very well with a new squad.  We had an excellent FA Cup result against Dr Martens League Eastleigh which has given us a great buzz at the moment."

Coatham will make his VCD debut in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie at Thame United on Saturday 13 September.   If Ford's men come away with victory at the Ryman League Division One North outfit they will receive an extra £2,250 in prize money and more importantly a place in the draw in the Second Qualifying round.

Ford admitted his club have been made very welcome by Lordswood, but they have plans to return back home to their Old Road base in Crayford next season.

He said: "The move to Lordswood is working very well.  It's only a twenty-five minute drive to get there which isn't a problem.  They have a great set up there and they have treated us very well."

And it seems the Medway public have greeted them as well, with crowds higher at Lordswood than when they played locally at Thamesmead Town's Bayliss Avenue home.

"Our first two crowds at Lordswood have increased 30% from when we were at Thamesmead Town." acknowledged Ford.

He added: "Our move to Lordswood have created interest in the Medway towns with good media coverage and we are expecting over 350 against Maidstone United on Saturday.  We only had 200 against them when we were at Thamesmead Town.  It's good to know that people living in the Medway towns have come out to watch us."

VCD Athletic are spending £140,000 on their ground improvements, with the money coming from the Football Stadium Trust.  The Vickers will be erecting floodlights in January and will be hoping the people of Crayford will take to the team like they have in the Medway towns.

VCD Athletic vs Maidstone United, Saturday 6 September (3pm), Go Travel Kent League Premier Division, @ Lordswood FC, Martyn Grove, Northdane Way, Walderslade, Kent