VCD Athletic sign former Ashford United keeper Sam Mott who replaces Nick Blue at Oakwood while Chatham Town's Jordan Carey hangs up his gloves at 22

CHATHAM TOWN goalkeeper Jordan Carey has announced his retirement from the game, aged just 22.

Scott Lindsey’s side were sitting at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 30 points from their 11 league outings before their campaign was brought to a halt through the Covid-19 health pandemic.

The Football Association has put forward Corinthian for promotion into the Isthmian League on points per game basis over the abandoned two campaigns.

“So, I’ve decided to hang up the gloves at 22 years of age,” Carey wrote on his Twitter account.

“I’m announcing my retirement from football.  Thank you Chatham Town and all of their loyal supporters for the past few seasons, what a club.

“It may come as a shock but I’ve just fallen out of love with the game.”

VCD Athletic have announced the departure of their goalkeeper Nick Blue but have snapped up former Ashford United stopper, Sam Mott.

A club statement from the Isthmian League South East Division club said: “VCD Athletic can confirm that Sam Mott has committed his services to the Vickers for the 2021-22 season.

“Title-winning (with Cray Wanderers) goalkeeper Nick Blue has signalled his intensions to leave the club due to family commitments and manager Nick Davis has wasted no time in securing Blue’s replacement.

“Sam is a former Ashford United skipper and England C stopper, who brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to Oakwood.

“From all of us at VCD, we would like to thank Nick Blue for his services during his two spells with the club. The popular figure will be sorely missed.

“We would also like to welcome Sam to the club. May your journey with us culminate in similar success to that of Bluey’s.”

Blue, previously at Orpington, Beckenham Town and Cray Wanderers, has very good distribution levels with his feet.

Meanwhile, Southern Counties East Football League First Division side Stansfeld have promoted their midfielder and set-piece specialist, Joe Minter to become their player-coach next season.

“Stansfeld are pleased to announce that Joe Minter will be joining the backroom team as player-coach.

“Joe has great experience of the Southern Counties East Football League and is a great addition to the management set-up,” said the Chislehurst-based amateur club, jointly managed by the long-serving duo of Billy Hamlin and Jamie Phipps.