Ryman League Transfer News: Barnes' on the move again - Cugley reaches 500th game milestone

There has been plenty of player movements around the Ryman League over the past seven days, writes Stephen McCartney.

Scottish defender Barry Crawford made his Hythe Town debut last night during their convincing 3-1 win at VCD Athletic in the Kent League Cup.

Crawford’s last club, Ashford Town have brought in striker Kevin Lott and midfielder Danny Lye, who last season played for Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels respectively.

But sole manager John Cumberbatch, who takes charge of his second game at Tooting & Mitcham United tomorrow, is set to unveil a new striker.

The Homelands outfit have, however, lost giant goalkeeper Simon Overland and defender Dan Tanner has teamed up with unbeaten Kent League side, promotion chasing, Whitstable Town.

Cumberbatch explained to www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk the current situation with his first team squad.

He said: “Simon Overland is leaving to join Dulwich Hamlet. Simon has been on loan to us from Dagenham & Redbridge and (their manager) John Still had agreed to let us have him for the whole season unless he suffered injury to his main goalkeeper or unless any unforeseen situation should arise.

“Unfortunately, that situation has arisen with Dagenham in the middle of a player deal with Dulwich.

“Simon is being used as part of that deal. Dagenham have offered us a replacement but we do have (former Deal Town goalkeeper) Robert Lindley who kept goal for us last Saturday and Sean Glover is also available.”

Cumberbatch was not too critical on debutant Lindlay following their 2-1 home defeat to promotion chasing side Fleet Town last weekend.

“It was hard to judge Robert on Saturday’s performance, as he did not have too much to do despite the result,” said Cumberbatch.

“It is imperative to replace Simon with somebody of the highest calibre and I will be looking to do so, perhaps with Rob proving to be such.”

He added: “We are on the verge of signing a new striker who will be known by some, having played in the Ryman Premier.

“He is someone who we have attempted to sign on previous occasions but have failed to do so.”

Cumberbatch, meanwhile, admitted that he was disappointed with Tanner after being told by a text message that he was to play in Whitstable Town’s 2-1 win over Slade Green last weekend.

“I received a text message from Dan Tanner to inform me that he would be playing for Whitstable Town and therefore would not be available for us,” revealed Cumberbatch.

“Dan had told me ten days previously that due to his work he was having major problems getting to training and that because of this he would like to leave and join Whitstable and then come back to us when his work schedule was less hectic.

“I reluctantly agreed to this and he and I agreed a time at which he would leave. Having spoken to him at a training session the week before, it came as a surprise to receive his text on Saturday.

“After various phone calls to both Dan and the Whitstable manager (Marc Seager), I started to reshuffle the defence.

“My guess is that like most people, Dan expected our match to be cancelled and made a commitment to Whitstable that he would play for them, then found himself in a tricky position when told our match was to go ahead.

“Knowing that I had already started planning the following games without him, perhaps he decided his best option was to stick with Whitstable.”

Nick Barnes has moved back to Tonbridge Angels - the club where he started this season.

The Dartford born central midfielder was subject to pre-season speculation about a move to Ryman League Division One South club Maidstone United but decided to stay at the Betterview Longmead Stadium.

Barnes then decided to move to the Stones for a short period and then he was on the move again last month to Dartford, where he played for their youth side.

But he lasted just six games for the Darts, scoring in the club's homecoming on 11th November against Horsham YMCA, and is expected to play some part in Angels’ home clash with Horsham tomorrow.

“After a meeting with Nick he made it quite clear that he wanted to play at a higher level sooner rather than later and I decided that we would not stand in his way,” Darts boss Tony Burman told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

He added: “Nick was only here for a very short spell and I am disappointed that I did not get longer to work with him but I would like to wish him all the best for the future.”

But Burman, whose side welcome Metropolitan Police tomorrow, was smiling again when former Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta defender John Guest, whose on loan from Nationwide Conference South neighbours Welling United, has agreed terms to remain at Princes Park until the end of next season.

“John has agreed to sign for us on a permanent basis until the end of next season,” revealed Burman.

“There have been many clubs queuing for John’s signature and I am delighted he has chosen us.”

Neil Cugley takes charge of his 500^th competitive game for Folkestone Invicta tomorrow when Carshalton Athletic visit the Buzzlines Stadium in Cheriton Road.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk have chosen this game as our main match and we would like to hear from players that have played under him.

We look forward to your comments. Please let us know what era you played under - or with - Cugley and we shall publish them over the weekend.

Cugley has been at Folkestone for the past ten years.

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Meanwhile, all those managers out of work at the moment now have an opportunity to get back into the game with Kent County League premier division club Rusthall (based near Tunbridge Wells).

The Jockey Farm outfit are beginning their search for a new manager as Robbie Forbes has announced that he will be standing down at the end of the season.

A statement issued by the club said: “He has done an excellent job getting the side to the highest level the club has ever been.  But he now feels that it needs a fresh face to take the on to the next level.”

Chairman Dave Rusbridge is actively looking for a replacement and would be pleased to hear from any interested people.