Gill: I had to take over team affairs as it was a jolly up under Harmsworth - EXCLUSIVE

Friday 29th September 2006

We bring you all the latest news from Kent League clubs:

Croydon manager/chairman Dickson Gill admitted the club needed a shake up to improve results, writes Stephen McCartney.

Gill took over from Russell Harmsworth earlier in the season, a move that has seen a change of fortunes at the Arena.

The Trams travel to Greenwich Borough to kick off their Kent League Cup Group C campaign at Harrow Borough tomorrow.

The Surrey side, who play at the Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood, are now five games unbeaten.

And they were moments away from ruining VCD Athletic’s Oakwood homecoming last night, but had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw.

But Gill is delighted with their current form as they are now fifth place in the table with 12 points from 8 games.

“Without discriminating the last manager things wasn’t happening at the club,” Gill admitted EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“It was a big jolly up and everyone was enjoying themselves and not really bothering if they win or lose.

“That hurt me so I thought if that’s going to hurt me then I’ve got to be doing the jobs. I might as well be there and do it myself.

“Since I have been manager the boys have seemed to have pulled their socks up and the results speak for themselves.

“What I’ve seen so far in the league games we’ve got a nice spirit behind us and the boys are having a go together and I hope it continues.

“If we finish above fifth or sixth then we’ve done well.”

VCD Athletic striker Danny Penny was a proud man after being the first man to score a Kent League goal back at the Oakwood last night.

The 25-year-old headed home the first goal of last night’s game after just 350 seconds into the game.

“It was great,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk : “It’s been a long time coming back and it feels great getting the first goal.”

Resurgent Sevenoaks Town visit the Oakwood on Saturday, and Penny added: “We have to get back to what we are here to do and that’s to get three points.

“We need to get out of this slump at the moment. We just need to get the rub of the green.”

It’s been a busy week for Beckenham Town manager Jason Huntley ahead of Sporting Bengal United’s visit to Eden Park Avenue tomorrow.

Outgoings include Joe McDonnal who has signed for Irish side Glentoran whilst Dave Ward has returned to Herne Bay.

Coming in are former Beckenham man Christian Barratt and Paul O’Donohue, who are both expected to be in the squad against the east London side.

Meanwhile, attendances at Eden Park Avenue are officially down. Last season Beckenham averaged 128 through the turnstiles but this season’s average crowd if 98 - a downturn of 23.9%.

Tunbridge Wells manager Martin Farnie hopes his side can win their first league game of the season when highflying Faversham Town visit Culverden Stadium.

He told the Kent & Sussex Courier Newspaper: “They have just been promoted so I don’t know too much about them but it’s bound to be tough because they have started so well.

“But, to be honest, we prefer to concentrate on the threat that we will pose them because we know we are good enough because we know we are good enough to compete at this level.”

But Farnie, whose side have picked up just one point from their first six games of the season, feels the standard of the Kent League has dropped.

He added; “With Maidstone having been promoted and last year’s strong Beckenham Town team having largely broken up, the standard doesn’t seem to be up to what it has been in the past so there’s no reason why we should start climbing (the table)”.

But with many of his more experienced players back in the side, Farnie expects results will improve.

He added: “We’re in a false position at the moment but a few more weeks and I’m sure our position will improve.”

Faversham Town manager Terry Cordice has finally signed long-term target Graham Taylor, but now faces a race against time to register the striker in time for their trip to Culverden Stadium (article written by James Brown, courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk)

Cordice has been tracking Taylor - a player he worked with at Maidstone United - for more than a year without success.

But his patience was rewarded this week when Taylor cut his losses at Ramsgate to join Faversham Town's quest for honours in the Kent League.

Taylor, who has fallen down the pecking order at Southwood, played one game on loan with Faversham last season and scored twice in the 2-2 draw with defending champions Cray Valley.

This time the tall striker has signed a permanent deal, putting pen to paper after training on Thursday night.

Now Cordice is pulling out all the stops to get the player registered in time for the Wells clash, revealing: "It's by no means guaranteed but we are making every effort to get the paperwork to the Kent League in time for Saturday's game.

"I am absolutely thrilled to sign Graham. He is a quality forward with a proven goalscoring record and I am sure he is going to be a big hit with the fans at Salters Lane.

"I'm not saying he'll score twice in every game like he did in his only game last year but he's a great addition to the squad."

News of Taylor's arrival at Salters Lane comes just days after young forward Dane Lutchford quit the club for a new job overseas.

Cordice said: "It's one in and one out which is a bit of a shame. Dane's done well and has shown alot of promise but is off to Spain with work. We wish him well - he knows he'll always be welcome back at Salters Lane should his circumstances change.

"It means I'm still on the look-out for a forward. There are a few irons in the fire and one in particular. But, like I've said before, I'm not going to start naming names. We'll see how it goes and hopefully we'll have some more news soon."

Slade Green, who travel to Herne Bay looking for a “reaction” after their shocking 4-0 defeat at the hands of lower league side Pagham in the FA Vase in midweek, have re-signed Aaron Heyretting from rivals Thamesmead Town.

Heyretting completed his transfer on Tuesday night and will be his second spell at the Small Glen having originally signed at the beginning of last season from Erith Town.

The defender has also played for Dartford and is expected to be in the squad at Winch’s Field.

Meanwhile, Slade Green stalwart Mark Sabatino has seen his injury nightmare continue after being forced to leave Saturday’s 2-2 FA Vase draw after 65 minutes following a reoccurance of his knee injury.

He had a scan at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich but the Small Glen club have yet announced details on how it went.