Abbott signs former Tractorboy in time for Trophy tie

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott has once again used his extensive contacts in the game to entice defender Jack Haverson to Bourne Park, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 6ft 2ins tall, Sidcup born defender, will be handed his Sittingbourne debut for tomorrow’s trip to Leatherhead in the preliminary round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy, having signed on non-contracted terms, on a free-transfer from Bromley.

Haverson attended the Wrotham School, Sevenaoks, and began his footballing career at Ispwich Town, joining their academy at the age of sixteen. He left the Suffolk side in the summer of 2006 to join AFC Bournemouth, but spent much of the following year on loan at Hayes before joining Grays Athletic at the start of the 2007-08 season.

Haverson returned to Kent to sign for Blue Square South side Bromley in February 2006, making 22 appearances in total for the Hayes Lane outfit.

Things were going well for Haverson, and he was delighted when he penned his first contract, at Ipswich Town at the age of sixteen.

“You couldn’t get a better club, in my opinion,” said Haverson, when speaking to Ipswich Town’s website.

“The coaches and staff are the best and I couldn’t imagine a nicer or friendlier club at which to learn football.

“It was a very special day for me when I signed my contract at Ipswich.”

But like many young English footballers, Haverson’s chances in the first team were non existent and has since dropped down the league’s in order to get games under his belt.

Abbott, however, is delighted to be able to be able to do just that.

“He was playing for Bromley at the start of pre-season, he was full-time at Grays last year and he’s just coming in to have a few games to get his fitness up,” Abbott told www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their Trophy tie at Fetcham Grove.

“I’ve known him for a couple of years and he’s coming in to play with Ben Payne at the back.”

Abbott uses his list of contacts to entice hungry players to Bourne Park as he doesn’t have the biggest budget compared to some other clubs.

“We’re so young and it will be nice to get a bit of experience in there,” he said. “My contacts do help, there’s a lot of players about, it’s going out for them and looking at some of the lower division teams and getting their best players.

“We don’t have any money here. When they come down here they enjoy it. Everyone enjoys training, they’re a great bunch of lads and the atmosphere is good and it’s good to be around them all.”

With a 100% record in the Ryman League Division One South on their travels, albeit their FA Cup hopes were dashed at Kent Leaguers Erith & Belvedere, Abbott knows the lengthy pitch at Bourne Park appears to cause his side - and tenants Maidstone United - problems.

“We’ve been thinking about it and can’t put our finger on it.” said Abbott.

“All the games away seem to be nice, tight pitches and it seems to suit us. At home, I think they’ve got it in our mind that it’s such a big pitch, because it’s maximum length.

“We can’t do anything about it, it’s something we’ve got to get over and play a different way at home.”

Abbott is confident that his side can win at Fetcham Grove tomorrow to set up a trip to Ryman Premier Leaguers Horsham in the next round in two weeks time.

“We’ve had them watched three times, one when they went to Ashford and got thrashed 5-0 - we’re not going on that,” said Abbott.

“They’re quite a young side as well. If you go 2-0 down after 5-10 minutes, it’s hard, (so) it’s important to get the first goal.

“We’re going there positive and have a right go, win and get into the next round and get a good little run going.

“Obviously I was gutted about the FA Cup. My main priority is to get into the play-off’s. FA Trophy breaks the league up a little bit, but it will be nice to get a good run in that.

“We’re looking to have a run and come away with a nice win. If it takes a replay that’s the way we’ll do that.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website:  www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Leatherhead v Sittingbourne
FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 4^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9AS