To have someone come in with Frannie Collin’s class and quality will only give the players, supporters and club in general a lift, says Herne Bay boss Sam Denly

HERNE BAY boss Sam Denly has pulled off a loan transfer coup by bringing striker Frannie Collin to Winch’s Field on a month’s loan from Maidstone United.

 

The Bay are currently sitting in fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table and travel to Southern Counties East Football League side Rochester United in The FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Saturday.

But Collin, 28, has been told that he can only play league games for Herne Bay, while on loan from Vanarama National League South side Maidstone United.

Collin’s debut in a Herne Bay shirt will be away to Molesey on Saturday, 19 September, while he is expected to make his home debut against Three Bridges three days later.

Denly told Herne Bay’s website www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay: “Obviously I’m delighted to have him with us on loan.  To have someone come in with Frannie’s class and quality will only give the players, supporters and club in general a lift as we look to build on what has been a good start to this season’s campaign.

“I would like to thank Jay Saunders and Maidstone United for working with us and making the move possible.

“Frannie needs to get some game time and like many other clubs as soon as we heard he was available we were quick to show our interest.

“I would like to welcome Frannie to the club and look forward to working with him in his spell with us.”

Collin, who started his career playing in Bay’s division at Chatham Town when Clive Walker was in charge, made his debut scoring for Gillingham in a League Cup tie in 2005.

He then joined Andy Hessenthaler at Crabble when the former Gills manager moved there and his goals helped Dover Athletic gain promotion from the Ryman Premier.

Collin then signed for Tonbridge Angels in 2010 and in his first season at Longmead Stadium he scored 21 goals in 43 appearances.

In the Angels’ first season in Conference South he won the Golden Boot with his 29 league goals.

His most recent claim to fame is that he scored both goals in Maidstone United’s televised FA Cup First Round replay victory over League Two side Stevenage in front of a capacity crowd last season.

Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “It’ll be good for Frannie to get some games, score some goals and improve his sharpness and then return here firing on all cylinders.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay