Daish: MacDonald contract shows our longer term commitment to bring success to the club

Gravesend & Northfleet have today missed out on signing former Gillingham midfielder Andy Hessenthaler after he decided to join Coca-Cola League Two side Barnet.




Fleet chairman Brian Kilcullen told www.gnfc.co.uk
“Andy is a local player who would have undoubtedly brought a lot of experience to our team. 

”We are disappointed as our financial offer to Andy was not a problem but the lure of finishing his playing career in League football was really the deciding factor for him.”

The Nationwide Conference club, who can move up to ninth if they avoid defeat against Canvey Island at Stonebridge Road on Friday night, are pleased to announce a new deal has been agreed that will keep leading goalscorer Charlie MacDonald at the club for a further season.

McDonald had endeared himself to the fans with his fully committed performances and prolific goalscoring (13 goals) since signing for the club in the summer of 2005.

Manager Liam Daish said: “I believe that this shows our longer term commitment to bring success to the club.

”Charlie is a quality striker and there will be a lot of disappointed clubs out there who would have hoped to get their hands on him.

”I am striving to bring additional forwards to the club but am being quoted silly money all the time and in my opinion some of these players would not hold a candle to Charlie.”

Meanwhile, Fleet goalkeeper Craig Holloway has been selected for the National game XI squad to face Italy in the European Challenge Trophy at Cambridge on 15^th February.

Craig is one of three goalkeepers selected and will be vying for a starting place with Woking’s Shwan Jalal and Exeter City’s Paul Jones.

If he makes the final squad, he will become the third Fleet player to be selected after midfielders Jimmy Jackson and Ben Surey.

Following a successful trial the Fleet are pleased to announce the signing of 20-year-old left-sided midfielder Ashley Fuller, who was previously with Cambridge United.

Central defender Ross Smith has extended his contract until the end of next season.

The former Margate player has been one of the success stories at the club in this, his first season playing in the Nationwide Conference.

Daish added: “Ross is a great lad to have around, he is totally committed to the club and has a great attitude towards the game.

”It is all that I can do to get him off the training pitch.  He would train all day if he could.  I am very pleased he has decided to commit another season to us.”


* Segregation will be in place for Fleet’s game against Canvey Island.

Admission prices:
£12 (adults)  £6 (concessions)
Seating:
£2 extra (adults) £1 extra (concessions)

* Log onto www.kentishfootball.co.uk on Friday night and we shall keep you up-to-date with the latest news from this game.


Gravesend & Northfleet v Canvey Island
Nationwide Conference
Friday 20^th January 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet