It has not been easy to land Jack Parter, says Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson

WHITSTABLE TOWN chairman Gary Johnson says he is delighted to announce that former Gillingham full-back Jack Parter has signed for the club and will be in the squad for Tuesday’s home game against Sittingbourne.

Parter, 20, was released by the League One club last week, having been there for six years as a Scholar and whom signed pro terms this season having turned out for the Gills’ first team during pre-season, but never got the chance under former manager Martin Allen nor the current incumbent, former England boss Peter Taylor.

“In signing for the Oysters, Parter is keen to showcase his abilities in his desire to overcome his Gills disappointment and whom better than Ex-Gill Nicky Southall’s Whitstable Town, who have seventeen games in the next seven weeks,” said Mr Johnson.

“It has not been easy to land Parter with whom numerous contact has been since his release by Gillingham.  The line between player, manager, coach and chairman being extremely hot prior to his decision to sign late this afternoon.

“Parter, whom lives in Faversham and whom created interest in the last week from a number of clubs (which are believed to have included Faversham, Hastings and Ramsgate) plays best at full-back being equally comfortable on the left or right, has Ryman experience having been loaned out to Whitstable under Southall’s predecessor between two stints at Ramsgate for whom more recently he ended a three-month loan in January, scoring twice in the process.

“Nicky Southall and I are both equally delighted to provide Jack with this opportunity and hope that with the number of scouts currently visiting The Belmont that it won’t be too long before Jack reinvigorates himself with a pro club (but next season).

“In the meantime we will benefit from him, with our end of season run in and again strengthen an already tight nit defensive line up.”

Meanwhile, Dover-born winger/striker, Ashley Miller, who made his Gillingham debut at the age of sixteen, was also released by Taylor six days’ ago.

Miller, who spent time on loan at Ramsgate, Hythe Town, Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United, is now expected to take up the opportunity of playing in the United States.

Whitstable Town are presently in the bottom six in the Ryman League Division One South table with 34 points (9 wins and 7 draws) from 29 games.

They welcome a Sittingbourne side to The Belmont on Tuesday night that are in thirteenth-place in the table with 40 points (11 wins and 7 draws) from 30 league outings.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town  v  Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 11^th March 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
at The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP