Soccer Shorts: Fisher call EGM over new stadium delays

Here are tonight’s Soccer Shorts articles

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC reserve team manager Jimmy Anderson has appointed Terry Fenn as his assistant manager.

DARTFORD will be holding an open evening to give supporters the opportunity to find out more about what’s going on at Princes Park.

In attendance from the club will be Steve Irving (co-chairman), Tony Burman (manager), Phil Murray (head of youth development), Lauren Webster (commercial manager), Jack Smedley (operations) and first team captain Elliot Bradbrook.

The meeting takes place at 19:30 in the Princes Suite on Monday 1 August.

A club statement said: “As a club we feel that communication and interaction between the club and supporters has improved in recent months with the introduction of our new website and social media accounts.

“We realise that there are questions raised and opinions exchanged on other sites, where as a club we choose not to interact.

“This is now the supporters chance to do this with a representative of each department of the club in attendance.  If this first meeting is a success, we would like to make this a regular thing to keep supporters informed of any upcoming news and future projects.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have confirmed that goalkeeper coach Ron Hillyard, 64, has stepped down from his role at the Vanarama National League South club.

Vice chairman Peter Varney told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “Ron is wanting to spend more time with his family from this point and I know what a huge service he has given this club. In my time alone, he has been a fantastic servant to Ebbsfleet United and his time here goes back long before then.

“Most of all we’ll miss his sense of humour, but his professionalism in developing goalkeepers one after the other at this club has been second-to-none. I’m sure he’ll be back to visit us and cast his eye over how the lads between the sticks are developing throughout this season and beyond!”

Hillyard was GIllingham’s record appearance holder, playing 657 games between 1974 and 1990, having joined from York City. He joined the Fleet under Andy Ford in 2002 and continued to work for his successors Liam Daish, Steve Brown, Jamie Day and Daryl McMahon.

In a 14-year spell, Hillyard developed the talents of numerous goalkeepers, most notably seeing Sam Mott, Lance Cronin, Preston Edwards and Brandon Hall all go on to secure England C caps. And in the first few years of his coaching employment at the Fleet, while in his early fifties, he was often named as substitute goalkeeper in times of need!

A club statement added: “The club wishes Ron all the very best for the future. He has been part of the fabric of the Fleet for 14 years, during which time he has celebrated two promotions and an FA Trophy win at Wembley, and we hope to see him in attendance at Stonebridge Road very soon.

“Ron’s boots are to be filled by Michael Jordan, a former Arsenal schoolboy and England U19 international, who played league football for Chesterfield and then had spells at Stevenage, Eastbourne, Farnborough and Boreham Wood. He has joined up with the Fleet squad in Portugal this week.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE will face promoted side Greenwich Borough at Park View Road to contest the Martin Tarrant Trophy on Tuesday 19 July.

A club statement said: “Last year we faced Whitstable Town in the first ever trophy when the visitors taking the trophy with a 3-0 win.  The Martin Tarrant Trophy takes place every season in honour of Deres director Martin Tarrant who tragically passed away in November 2014.  Martin was a devout servant of the club and we still miss him every single day.”

ERITH TOWN suffered a defeat in Ricky Bennett and Ian Jenkins’ first game in charge of the club at the weekend, going down to a 3-0 pre-season defeat away to Glebe.

FISHER have called an Extraordinary General Meeting for Tuesday night to discuss the discuss the delay in moving in to their new ground in Rotherhithe.  The meeting starts at 19:00 and takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Rotherhithe Street.  Meanwhile, the Southern Counties East Football League Premier club are searching for a coach and physio.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley has signed Sam Beale, 22, from National League South side Eastbourne Borough.

The Rochester based defender or midfielder is a product of the Brentford Academy and since leaving Griffin Park, has spent the last two years with the Sussex club.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “He’s a good left-sided player and that’s been an aspect of the squad that I’ve been eager to strengthen for quite some time.

“Up to a couple of years ago we were fairly strong down the left and Sam will give us a much better balance on that side of the park.

Young striker Harry Smith’s trial with League One side Millwall has been put on hold this week after the 21-year-old suffered a back problem.

Cugley said: “Of course the lad was disappointed but he should be with the rest of the squad when they report for the start of pre-season training and we can hopefully get him some treatment on the injury.

“Several clubs are still very interested in him and no doubt Millwall will soon come up with a new date for Harry.

“We start pre-season games at Ashford next Saturday (July 9) and he may be involved – we’ll have to see how things progress.”

Cugley also confirmed that former Newcastle Academy player Patrick Nzuzi has asked to join Folkestone for pre-season training though one report suggested that the Congo-born defender/midfielder is out of the country at the moment.

“I got a call from him on my mobile as we were walking down Wembley Way following the Ryman Awards do the other weekend” said the manager.

“He’s still living in Folkestone so he’s welcome to come along. I’ll readily admit that he was unlucky not to get more a look-in with us last season.

“It took quite a while for us to get international clearance for him and by then we had a fairly settled side and were going well.

“Like several of our more established younger players it is going to interesting to see how they shape up to the prospect of Ryman Premier Division football this coming season.”

Cugley also confirmed that the promoted Southern Division champions were very close to signing well thought of Maidstone United midfielder Alex Brown before the player opted to move to National League South Dartford a couple of weeks ago.

“I’ve been in contact quite often with Maidstone about a number of things in the last few months but it was not on our radar that he was likely to be available until (Folkestone Invicta coach) Jason Lillis bumped into him at a wedding a few weeks ago.

“We spoke to him and it looked quite possible that we’d get him, but it’s hard to blame anyone for going to a good club like Dartford to play at a higher level – and for more money than we could offer.”

HAWKINGE TOWN have appointed Dan Regan as their new manager, while Damian Abel comes in as player-coach.

HYTHE TOWN have re-signed midfielder Ryan Johnson from newly-promoted Greenwich Borough.

MARGATE manager Nikki Bull has revealed his budget for the new season has been reduced by 70%.

SITTINGBOURNE have launched a family season ticket where two adults and two kids can watch the club’s pre-season and Ryman League Division One South games for £150, which is a tenner more than a season ticket for one adult.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS striker Andre McCollin, 31, has said he has joined the Ryman Premier League club to end his trophy less drought.

The club reported for pre-season training on Saturday and the former Aldershot Town, Cray Wanderers and Kingstonian striker told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk that he wants to win the league title this coming season.

“I came here to win trophies.  Last year I thought Tonbridge should have gone up.  I’ve been playing for a long time and I’ve never won something, that’s what I’ve come here to do.

Meanwhile, a minutes silence will be held at Longmead Stadium at 19:00 this coming Thursday 7 July, led by club chaplain Neil Durling before the commencement of first team training.

“Many supporters will be well aware that this Thursday will mark exactly one year since Junior Dian passed away in such tragic circumstances while playing for the Angels in a pre-season friendly at Whyteleafe.  All supporters and friends of the club are very welcome to attend,” said a club statement.

WELLING UNITED have signed former Margate goalkeeper Chris Lewington, 27.

The BBC Local Radio stations across England and Wales have signed an agreement with the National League to provide coverage of the leagues’ matches until 2020.

The National League has 68 member clubs in three divisions, known as the National League, National League North and the National League South.

Jason Horton, BBC Head of Sport for England said: “The deal with the National League demonstrates the BBC local radio stations commitment to bring sports fans across England and Wales all the sporting action from their area. So whether you’re tuning in to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s coverage of Lincoln City, listening to BBC Radio Solent reporting on Eastleigh or following one of the other 66 clubs across The National League we’ll be bringing you the latest action.”

Brian Barwick, the chairman at The National League, added: “The National League is pleased to confirm our existing partnership has been extended until 2020. This will permit continuing stadium access with match commentary, thus complementing the excellent support given generally by BBC Local Radio stations covering all 68 member clubs and their local communities”.