It's such a shame to have to let so many players go, says Fisher boss Dean Harrison

FISHER manager Dean Harrison has axed eleven players in a bid to maintain the club’s Southern Counties East Football League status.

The Fish sit in the bottom four in the table with four wins and five draws from their 22 league games and are two points clear of bottom-side Lingfield, who they play at Champion Hill tomorrow.

Harrison, whose side have failed to win in his six games in charge, has brought in four new faces.

Young winger Jordan Adekunle heads the list, the south-east London youngster having come through the ranks at Crawley Town before signing a professional contract with Ipswich Town last term.  He joins the Fish after leaving the Tractor Boys in the summer.

Another exciting attacking addition is Kieran Scantlebury, a graduate from Dartford’s academy. Striker Frazer Bent also came through Dartford’s youth system and spent some time at Greenwich Borough last term. A Bermondsey boy, Bent gives Harrison added firepower in the Fisher frontline.

Midfielder Kieron Tarbie also joins the Fish, making the move from Beckenham Town after also spending time at Horsham.

Welcoming the new signings, Harrision told www.fisherfc.co.uk: “We’ve made some great signings this week. Lots of ability and quality on the ball, coupled with great attitudes. I’m sure Fisher fans will be as pleased and excited as I am.

“The key now is that we need to gel as a side as quickly as possible and start getting some points on the board.”

The less pleasant side of the business is allowing players to leave, and a number of players have left the club this week.

Stalwarts Billy Walton – son of former boss Billy Walton - and Junior James have opted to seek football elsewhere and both leave with the respect and appreciation of all at the club for their commitment and service.

Jamie Taylor has taken up the opportunity to join Ramsgate – who are managed by former Fish joint-manager Simon Halsey – in the Ryman League Division One South and the club with him well playing in the division above.

The club have also parted company with Martin Hunter, Piers Hanifan, Mike Daramola, Ashley Henry-Brown, Javan Scott, Ellis Etienne, Nathaniel Bell and Jay Garrick.

After a week of tough decisions, boss Harrison explained: “It is such a shame to have to let so many players go this week. They are all good lads with a lot of raw talent that needs coaching and time. Unfortunately we don’t have a reserve or development side at the moment and the boys need to be playing regular football.

“I hope that we will have a few of them back through the door in the next few seasons and they will become better players with the chance to play regularly elsewhere. The club are really grateful for their commitment and we wish them the very best for their footballing future.”

Harrison confirmed that he is looking to strengthen the squad further over the next couple of weeks.

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk