Kent Football United unveil Ennio Gonnella and Billy Walton as their new management team

LEWISHAM BOROUGH chairman Ray Simpson says he has revealed that he has signed an agreement with a local club to form a new youth and Academy section.

The Kent Invicta League club have signed an agreement with Ricky Nestfield, the owner of Lewisham Tigers, which effectively means Lewisham Tigers as from 1 January 2016 will form the youth and Academy section of Lewisham Borough.

“This is great news for all concerned as the senior section will now be self sustained with players expected to make the transition from the Academy into the first team and younger players from the youth section into the Academy,” said Simpson.

“Plans are also in place to create a Ladies team for next season and disability teams the following season.

“Even in these difficult times, especially on the pitch the board have always been confident of progressing and developing the club and with this partnership agreement and the 100-seater stand expected to be in place by the end of February 2016 at Ladywell Arena, it shows that the future is bright.”

Lewisham Borough are struggling at the foot of the table on five points from 17 league games.

Mr Simpson added: “It means that local players will have the opportunity to play in The FA Vase, The FA Cup and The FA Youth Cup and represent the Borough of Lewisham.”

GLEBE chairman Rocky McMillan says he’s feeling delighted that the Chislehurst-based club have received and accepted the maximum £100,000 grant for a Step Six club via the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

“This is fantastic news for Glebe FC and follows months of hard work,” said Mr McMillan.

“Sincere thanks to The London Football Association and The Football Foundation, who made it possible.

“The grant comes from Premiership money and has enabled us to build a magnificent new stadium and changing rooms.

“The time scale involved in this project was over one year and hundreds of hours of work, but it’s all been worthwhile.”

Glebe, managed by Simon Copley, are sitting three points clear of Bearsted at the top of the Kent Invicta League table.

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED have appointed Ennio Gonnella and Billy Walton as their new management team after Roy Davies parted company with the Dartford based club after 19 games in charge last Saturday.

Davies joined the club at the beginning of the season after guiding Metrogas to back-to-back Kent County Premier League titles, but left the club after their 3-0 defeat to struggling Rusthall last weekend.

Sam MacNeil will take charge of Saturday’s trip to third-placed Sutton Athletic, before Gonnella (who managed Erith Town and Eltham Palace last season) and ex-Greenwich Borough and Fisher boss Walton take charge for the home game against Glebe on 19 December.

The club are sitting in the bottom four in the Kent Invicta League table with 19 points from 17 games.

Kent Football United received nine applications for the vacancy and they have signed much-travelled striker Marcus Cassius, who has played for Holmesdale and Crockenhill already this season, where he scored five goals for the Southern Counties East Football League bottom side.