Clubs bid to improve facilities at Danson Youth Centre - Holmesdale confirm Davies is staying put!

Monday 25th October 2010

AMBITIOUS Erith & Dartford Town Football Club is delighted to announce an agreement to share the ground of Vandanel Kent County League side Bexley Borough with immediate effect, writes Stephen McCartney.

The two chairmen of the two clubs, Liam Kelly and Roy MacNeil (the latter who’s attempts to merge with the more illustrious Erith Town of the Kent League were blocked at the last minute during the summer) have agreed an immediate ground improvement plan for the Apex Arena, Danson Youth Centre.

The work is expected to be completed early in the new year and with both clubs already declaring their interest in Step 6 football for next season, it is expected the improvements will bring the ground closer to the requisite ground grading requirements.

The scheduled ground improvements for the Bexleyheath based ground include:

Pitch improvement

New supporter barriers around ground

New dug-outs

Turnstiles

New seating for existing stand

New goal-posts

New refreshment bar and committee room

Simon Kidby, Bexley Borough’s secretary told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today: “Both chairmen are delighted with the development plan and pleased to commit funding to the ground, which has excellent support from the Danson Youth Centre.”

Erith & Dartford Town FC was established in 2010 after 10 years of great success with Dartford Town Youth and Senior Sides.

It provides high quality FA to UEFA qualified coaching for boys and girls of all abilities for ages 4 to 18.

They compete in such leagues as Bexley & District Junior Football League, Selkent Junior Football League and North Kent Youth League.

They offer both outfield and goalkeeper coaching within their Elite Football Academy with an aim to improve the overall standard of Mini-Soccer and Youth Football across Kent.

Bexley Borough, meanwhile, has two adult teams playing in the Vandanel Kent County Division Two West (and are presently in seventh place out of 13 teams) and Reserve Division West Leagues.

They also have a boys U/14s side competing in the Selkent Junior Football League.

The club have recently appointed Alex Hills, latterly the reserve team manager at Kent League side Holmesdale, who returns to take the reins from caretaker manager Liam Kelly, who succeeded the recently departed first team manager Brian Meaney.

“The club would like to thank Brian Meaney for all his hard work and time over the last 9 months,” added Mr Kidby.

“His appointment last year really helped steady the ship and despite a few Cup upsets and a bad day at the office this season, he has set the stall for a good year.

“Unfortunately with Brian’s departure, many of the established first team players will undoubtedly go, leaving Kelly with a skeleton crew to work with. New faces are needed, in particular a centre midfielder and a centre half. Anybody interested and is willing to train, please get in touch!”

He added: “Alex Hills formerly takes up his appointment in mid-November and will announce his new management team over the coming weeks.”

Mr Kidby, latterly the club secretary at Holmesdale, has returned to the club to take up the appointment as club secretary from Liam Kelly, who continues in his role of chairman, concentrating on finalising Bexley Borough’s intermediate status, charter standard and Step 6 applications.

Meanwhile, Holmesdale’s current secretary, Ross Mitchell insists manager Gary Davies is staying put at Oakley Road, after speculation about his future has been circulating on internet fans’ forums.

He told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today: “For the record Gary has not resigned as manager. The rumours are not true.”

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