Dartford coach invites goalkeepers to battle it out - EXCLUSIVE

Dartford goalkeeping coach John Macrae is running a special event for goalkeepers at Princes Park on Sunday, 24^th June from 11am, writes Stephen McCartney.

Keeper Wars is open to all goalkeepers that play their football in the Kent League or above.

So far thirty shot-stoppers have been signed up for the event, which takes place on the community pitch at the home of Ryman League Division One South club Dartford.

Macrae explained why he is bringing Keeper Wars to Kent.

“Because it hasn’t been done before and no-one does anything for goalkeepers and we are special people,” he said EXCLUSIVLEY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“The day’s about networking, enjoying oneself. What fans would not normally see from goalkeepers during the season is making fantastic saves and hopefully the fans who are going to come along will see goalkeepers in a different light.”

Aaron Kerr, whose been released by Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels, is in his native Northern Ireland playing cricket.

Kerr has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him out of the Angels side towards the end of last season.

Charlie Mitten, another keeper without a club following his release from Margate, is also taking part.

James Tedder, Jimmy Simpson, John Whitehouse and Kevin Hudson, who have all recently turned out for the Darts, will also be put through their paces.

Unfortunately, Darts current number one, Tony Kessell will not be available as he will be on his holidays.

Macrae is looking forward to reuniting with former team-mate, Peter Spittle.

He said: “I haven’t spoken to him since 1973 when we played together at Slough Town and then he went to Wycombe.

“He’s playing with his son, which is nice because it is all about fun as well.  It’s all for NSPCC - a charity that we’re going for.”

Dartford are one of three Kentish sides that should be challenging for the title next season - Ashford Town and Dover Athletic being the other two.

And after signing defenders Adam Flanagan (from Folkestone Invicta) and Jamie Coyle (Dulwich Hamlet), Darts boss Tony Burman said today that he “hopes to have a player signed by Thursday.”

Burman revealed that he was “very close to getting” winger Tony Finn who opted to move to AFC Wimbledon from Metropolitan Police.

Macrae, however, admits there will be some very tough matches in next season’s Ryman League Division One South.

“We’re in the toughest divisions to get out of,” he said. “When you look at Tooting & Mitcham, there’s some tasty teams in our division.

“We’ve been there for the last two seasons, just failed at the last instance.  We’ve got a manager in Tony Burman whose always looking to make the next step.

“The two signings have been so positive - Flanagan and Coyle - really quality players - a big add to the squad.

“We are a forward looking club. We are not going to go bankrupt like other clubs might do.

“We go forward in the right manner as we’ve got the right managerial team in place.

“After 14 years not having a home, if we are going to do it, we will do it right

“The management team and committee we have will not be caught like other clubs in the past.”

Meanwhile, the Darts have confirmed today that they’ll be playing Tottenham Hotspur in their first pre-season friendly, at Princes Park Stadium, on Monday, 16^th July 2007 (7:30pm).

* Goalkeepers interested in taking part in Keeper Wars should telephone John Macrae on 07753 912 905 - mentioning that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Visit Dartford’s websites:  www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum