Rivals strengthen ahead of basement battle - EXCLUSIVE

Manager Martin Farnie has been busy this week as he improves his Tunbridge Wells side ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Erith Town, writes Stephen McCartney.First to report is the signing of the very experienced Richard Radbourne, who earlier this season captained high-flying Kent League rivals Greenwich Borough, and has also played for, amongst others, Sevenoaks Town and Maidstone United.
The central midfielder will add further strength to an increasingly experienced central spine to the team, which includes former Chatham Town pair Andy Garrett and Andy Boyle.
Former Maidstone United defender Bradley Sanderman, 37, will bring much needed experience and will benefit the youngsters at Culverden Stadium.
But the signing of goalkeeper Stuart Robbins has come too late for him to appear against the Dockers at the Erith Sports Stadium tomorrow.
However, he will be available for the Culverden Stadium clash against Deal Town tomorrow week.
Veteran goalkeeper Alan Rogers will play tomorrow as on-loan Glen Winter-Nolan has returned to Ryman Leaguers Chatham Town.
The club are waiting for the paperwork to go through for ginger-haired striker Dave Hassett (whose scored eleven goals this season) and Abdul-El-Ferdi, who are both set to return after joining Greenwich Borough at the start of the season.
Farnie, whose side are under performing in the bottom three, explained that he is building a side for next season.
The former Dartford coach told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk: “I am looking to build for next year now.
“Richard Radbourne is a very good player and he is looking to be with us next year too.
“These signings will freshen us up. They are players who have not been beaten up this season and will freshen things up a bit.”
But Farnie praised the youngsters who have excelled in the first team this season.
He said:  “I thought Luke Wallond was excellent last week.
“With the players I have brought in and with the likes of Luke, Dave Blundell, Joe Fuller another year older I am really looking ahead to next season.”
Farnie has not ruled out more players making their debuts tomorrow.
His opposite number at Erith Town, Mark Tompkins, meanwhile, feels tomorrow’s opponents should be higher in the table.
“I’ve seen them play two or three times and they look a decent outfit,” the striker said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the basement battle.  “I’m surprised where they are to be honest with you.”
Farnie is not the only manager to have strengthened his squad recently, as Tompkins has brought in two new additions to bolster his squad.
And the much-travelled striker, in his first managerial job, believes his side will win tomorrow’s clash.
“I’ve strengthened as well, brought a couple in,” he revealed.  “It should be a tight game – one I’m looking to win.”
Tompkins has contacted his former team-mate at Cray Wanderers, stocky, ginger-haired defender Danny Bower, who has agreed to play for the Dockers.
And right-sided midfielder Steve Taylor has been given the chance to impress after not fulfilling his potential at local rivals VCD Athletic.
“I’ve signed Danny as he has a wealth of experience,” said Tompkins.
 
“He’s won the league above and (for) he’s general talking.
 
“He didn’t really wanted to drop into the Kent League but he’s a mate of mine and he played for us last week and he was superb.”
 
And speaking about Taylor, Tompkins added: “I saw him playing for VCD last year.  I found out he wasn’t being selected so I put in a seven-day (approach) for him and got him.
 
“He’s one of them, when he gets the ball out wide he keeps the ball and he gets crosses in as well.”
 
Tompkins, managing his first side following a career that spanned many clubs as a prolific goalscorer, admitted he is “loving it” at Erith Town.
 
And he believes his side will not finish at the foot of the Kent League table.
 
“What I’ve done, the next seven or eight games are all (against teams) halfway and below and we’re looking to pick up points from that.
 
“Out of 21 points, I’ve set my target of 15 but if we get ten – that will do me.
 
“I’ve had my ups and downs in the job but I’ve got my own sort of team now.
 
“When I started only three are starting now from when I got the job so there’s been a massive turnover in players since I got the job, which needed to be done.”
 
Visit club websites:
 
www.erithtownfootballclub.co.uk
 
www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk
 
Erith Town  v  Tunbridge Wells
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 20^th January 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm

At Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith