Soccer Shorts: Hollands & Blair to start the season playing home games at Lordswood while Erith & Belvedere capture Ryan Johnson and George Monger

Here are tonight's Soccer Shorts articles

ASHFORD UNITED manager Tommy Warrilow has retained the services of 11-goal striker Luke Burdon, 24, for the Isthmian League South East Division side.

“I am really glad to be staying with Ashford next season. It means a lot to be able to wear the shirt for my home town,” Burdon told the club website.

“I’m ready to give it my all for this club and cannot wait to see what we are capable of achieving as a team.”

Warrilow has also retained full-back Bradley Simms, 25.

CHELMSFORD CITY manager Robbie Simpson has signed former Bromley central midfielder Liam Trotter, 33, on a one-year contract at the National League South club.

“I’m absolutely delighted to bring Liam Trotter to Chelmsford,” Simpson told the club website.

“I first spoke to his agent in February when Trotts was thinking about going part-time.  Trotts has made a big decision to make as Bromley wanted to keep him but if he kept playing full-time at this stage of his career it might inhibit his life beyond football, so he’s decided to join us and begin a career outside of football as well, which shows what a level-headed guy he is.

“We had trouble last season trying to bring an experienced midfielder in so we made it a priority of ours to bring someone to the club in the summer and they don’t come much better than Liam Trotter at this level.

“He’ll influence our young players in a really good way and he’s a fantastic player. I’m really excited to see Liam play for Chelmsford.”

DARTFORD manager Alan Dowson has retained the services of long-serving centre-half Tom Bonner, 34, Connor Essam, 29, Luke Allen and striker Dan Roberts.  Midfielder Jack Jebb, 26, has departed Princes Park this summer and has signed for newly-promoted National League side Dorking Wanderers, who have also signed former Ebbsfleet United winger Adam Mekki, 30.

DEAL TOWN have unveiled the signing of former Tunbridge Wells’ left-winger Euan Sahadow and former Hythe Town striker Riley Alford, who scored 10 goals for the Isthmian League South East Division side last season, having been plucked out of the Kent County League, playing for Ashford.

DOVER ATHLETIC manager Andy Hessenthaler has retained centre-half Jake Goodman, 28, for the relegated National League South club.

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Tony Beckingham has signed former Folkestone Invicta versatile defender Ryan Johnson, 35, and former Whitstable Town midfielder George Monger, 27.

HERNE BAY have appointed former player Dan Lawrence to manage the club’s Kent Youth League under 18 squad at Winch’s Field.

“Being a Herne Bay legend, DL will need no introduction to the Herne Bay fans having made 206 appearances for the first team and scoring 44 goals,” said a club statement.

“His last appearance was at the start of this season and since then he has player at Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury City, where he was also impressive whilst joint-manager.

“His first task is to hold some trials for players wishing to play in the Kent Youth League Premier on our new FIFA Quality Pro 3G pitch which is being installed in the close season.”

HOLLANDS & BLAIR chairman Paul Piggott says the club will be playing their home games at nearby Lordswood at the start of next season due to delays installing a 3G pitch at their Gillingham ground.

“Unfortunately, works up at the ground have been slightly delayed due to a minor issue that will be sorted by the owners,” said Piggott.

“This has an effect on the first team’s home fixtures, with pre-season games having to be played away, to which (manager) Scott Porter has managed to sort and we think him and the players for their patience.

“League and Cup games at the start of the 2022-23 season will be played at Lordswood FC.

“We’re not sure as to when we’ll be back at Star Meadow but the minute we know, we’ll let you know.

“A big thank you to the football family in our area, Chatham Town FC, Sheppey United FC and most of all Lordswood FC for all reaching out and helping us in this short time of need.”

HYTHE TOWN manager Steven Watt has confirmed the return of player-coach Frannie Collin, who has departed their league rivals Ashford United, while Nathan Elder has also returned to Reachfields Stadium who will assist coaching as and when his work commitments allow.

The Cannons have re-signed former Sittingbourne striker Johan Caney-Bryan, who scored 14 goals for the Brickies last season, who were managed by Darren Blackburn, Watt's assistant manager next term.

KENNINGTON manager Dan Scorer has retained the services of Tom Scorer, who is set to enter his eighth season at the Ashford based club and goalkeeper Joe Mant has also re-signed for next season. Centre-half Adam Phillips and full-back Harry Stow will also be staying at the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division outfit.

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Hakan Hayrettin has announced the departure of midfielder Michael Phillips, who made 98 appearances for the newly-promoted National League club.  The Stones have snapped up former Hungerford Town striker Solomon Wanjau-Smith, 23.

MARGATE have confirmed the departure of player-coach Reece Prestedge so that the 36-year-old midfielder can pursue other opportunities in coaching elsewhere.

“I spoke to Andy Drury and he has some exciting plans.  I hope that the club have a really successful season this year under Andy,” Prestedge told the club website.

“I have enjoyed my time at Hartsdown Park and will be forever grateful for giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career.”

RAMSGATE manager Steve Lovell has unveiled the signing of the versatile 23-year-old Jack Richards from Ashford United.

SHEPPEY UNITED manager Ernie Batten has retained right-back Daniel Birch, having clocked up 50 appearances for the quadruple winning side last term.

“It felt great to get a full season under the belt and the feeling of winning the league and four trophies in total is something that cannot be matched for a very, very long time,” Birch told the club website.

Looking forward to the club’s maiden Isthmian League South East Division campaign, Birch added: “I’m looking forward to playing in a division higher next year to see how we match up against teams, as I believe the squad we have, with a couple of additions, could be very interesting and I don’t see why it couldn’t be another successful year.”

Connor Wilkins, meanwhile, has left Holm Park this summer.

Assistant manager Marcel Nimani said: “It’s a shame we couldn’t keep hold of Connor but we understand his reasons, which includes wanting to play more football. After a Covid year and then a long-term injury, it’s an understandable decision.

“We did all we could to try to keep Connor here at Sheppey United as we see great potential and value in him.  He’s been a brilliant footballer and servant to the club and also someone who is local and has many connections here.

“We have no doubt that in the future things could change and Connor would be welcome back anytime, until then he leaves us with our best wishes.”

SITTINGBOURNE manager Nick Davis has unveiled the signing of former Coggeshall Town goalkeeper Matthew Cafer, 27.  Dorset-born, he has a couple of caps for Gibraltar’s international team.

The Brickies have also retained striker Kane Rowland, Harry Miller and centre-half Harrison Pont and the Isthmian League South East Division side have prised midfielder Harry Harding away from their league rivals Faversham Town.

WELLING TOWN chairman/manager Kevin Oakes has signed Femi Orenuga, Ryan Styles (Rusthall), Oliver Andrews (Phoenix Sports) and Sam Bailey (Lordswood).

WELLING UNITED manager Warren Feeney has signed former Weymouth centre-half Taofiq Olomowewe, 25, former Maidenhead United centre-half Manny Parry, 28, and former Aveley defender Rob Strachan, 21.  The National League South side have retained defender Chi Ezennolim, 20.

However, 19-goal striker Dipo Akinyemi has left Park View Road and has signed a two-year deal at full-time Scottish Championship side Ayr United.

Meanwhile, Keith Boanas has been appointed as head coach of the clubs women's senior first team, replacing Cork City bound Danny Murphy.