Kessell signs for Darts following tonight's training session

Dartford manager Tony Burman has brought highly-rated goalkeeper, Tony Kessell, 27, back to the club after four years at Folkestone Invicta, writes Stephen McCartney.

Kessell, who made 192 appearances during his time at Cheriton Road, has signed for the Darts following tonight’s training session at his home town club.

Kessell represented Gravesham District, Kent County and South East England Schools as a schoolboy and joined Charlton Athletic as a YTS for two years.

He then joined Hastings, where he stayed for three seasons, making 150 appearances before joining Dartford in August 2001.

He re-joined Hastings towards the end of the 2001-02 season but returned to Dartford. He is expected to play against another former club, Cray Wanderers, at Princes Park on Saturday.

Burman has signed Kessell tonight to replace Kevin Hudson, 40, who has been forced to retire due to work commitments.

“We knew something like this would happen but unfortunately he’s work commitments has taken priority,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“He’s a prison officer, in Sheppey I think, and he has to do night shifts over a three week spell.

“Unfortunately it means he has to miss training and that is not what he or I wanted.

“It is sad but when your Kevin’s age, you have to keep his fitness and sharpness and I just want Kevin remembered as being an excellent servant to Dartford Football Club.”

Burman revealed that Dartford resident Kessell, who lives five minutes away from Princes Park, opted to sign for the club after Burman put in a seven-day approach last week.

“Tony lives about five minutes from the ground in Dartford,” said the manager.

“It’s a plus point, he’s impressed with what his seeing at the moment, he’s training right now.”

Kessell joins former Invicta team-mate, defender Steve Norman at Princes Park.

Folkestone Invicta have said that they will release a further statement tomorrow, but they said today on their website www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk that they made a “generous offer” to Kessell to encourage him to stay at the Ryman Premier League club until the end of next season.

The statement said: “Last week the club received a seven day approach from Ryman Division One South side Dartford for goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

“After he had spoken to Dartford, the board made a generous offer to Tony to encourage him to stay until the end of season 2007/2008 but after careful consideration Tony has decided to leave the club with immediate effect.

“The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony for his exemplary service over the last four seasons.”

Visit club websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk  &  www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk