Soccer Shorts: Faversham Town's financial position secure as Gary Smart is appointed new chairman but search to find James Collins' successor is seen as an immediate priority at Salters Lane

Here are today’s Soccer Shorts articles

ASHFORD UNITED manager Tommy Warrilow has signed former Corinthian centre-half Ryan Sawyer, 28, the son of former Dartford stalwart Paul.

Warrilow told the club website: “Ryan had plenty of clubs after him this summer so I am delighted we could get this over the line.

“At 28, I know he’s in his prime. He’s just had a strong season with Corinthian, who despite being new to the league, more than held their own with the impact of Ryan at the back.

“I am looking forward to working with him and I know he will bring strength to our defence – it’s just a brilliant addition to our squad.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper coach Lee Hook has departed Homelands Stadium for a coaching role at their league rivals Ramsgate.

Ashford United finished runners-up in the Isthmian League South East Division last season but were defeated 2-0 at home to Herne Bay in the Play-Off Final.

BRIDON ROPES have appointed Uche Ibemere as their new manager yesterday.  The Charlton-based Southern Counties East Football League First Division outfit have also appointed Frankie Shaw as assistant manager.

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) have announced the departure of their physio Courtney Dobson.

A club statement from the Isthmian League South East Division club said: "We are saddened to announce that our talented and fabulous physio Courtney Dobson is leaving us - and we will sorely miss her infectious personality around the place."

DARTFORD striker Ade Azeez, who scored 18 goals for the National League South club last season, has announced his departure from the club.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to represent this amazing club," the 28-year-old posted on Twitter.

"I've met some wonderful people on and off the field, there is no doubt the club will get back to where it belongs.

"No matter what happens in terms of football, I'll always have a special place for Dartford."

The club remain managerless after parting company with Steve King on Tuesday night.

DOVER ATHLETIC have released out-of-contract players Reda Johnson, Koby Arthur, TJ Bramble, Marshall Wratten, Josh Bexon, James Caton, Travis Gregory and Seth Twumasi after suffering relegation from the National League on one point.

Out-of-contract pair Jake Goodman and Danny Collinge have both been offered new deals, while Ryan Hanson, Luke Baptiste, Will Moses and George Wilkinson remain under contract.

Henry Woods (Gillingham), Harry Ransom (Crawley Town), Adam Parkes (Watford) and Michael Gyasi (King’s Lynn Town) have all returned to their parent clubs.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler have also offered Bramble and Myles Judd the opportunity to attend pre-season to prove their fitness ahead of next season’s National League South campaign.

EBBSFLEET UNITED have released Kresh Krasniqi, Lee Martin, Adam Mekki, Michael West and Will Wood.

Four players are under contract for next season; Rakish Bingham, Sido Jombati, Joe Martin and Craig Tanner.

The National League South side have made contract offers to Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Ben Chapman, Shaq Coulthirst, Greg Cundle, Franklin Domi, Alfie Egan, Alex Finney, Harrison Firth, Chris Haigh, Sefa Kahraman, Kieran Monlouis, Christian N’Guessan, Jack Paxman, Dom Poleon, Elliott Romain and Chris Solly.

Goalkeeper Louie Moulden has returned to his parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers following the conclusion of his loan period at Stonebridge Road.

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Tony Beckingham has added Lewis Mitchell as goalkeeper coach next season.

The Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club have signed combative centre-half Ryan Huckle, 22, on a one-year contract and have snapped up former Glebe striker/winger Malachi Hudson and left-back Ben Wilson, who was part of the Erith & Belvedere squad that reached the FA Vase Quarter-Finals in 2015.

The Park View Road outfit have appointed Sam Woods to their board and current Isthmian League CEO Kellie Discipline is welcomed back as vice-president.

A club statement said: “Kellie has had a long 30-year career in football and has pioneered the path for women to get involved in football.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Kellie on board as we look to build the structure of the club.  She also currently holds the vice-chair role of The Kent FA and was the Isthmian League’s first female director, League secretary and CEO for 11 years.”

ERITH TOWN manager Adam Woodward has signed Tom Ash, Lenie Barnes, Joe Chalker and Ronnie McLean on contract.

The quartet have graduated from their Academy and all four made first-team appearances for the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side.

Ash went on to clinch the Player-of-the-year and Players’ player-of-the-year awards last season.

Woodward told the club website: “These graduates have earned this opportunity and all have the right attitude to push on further in the game.  We hope they continue to progress and bring us some silverware in the future.

“They all realise that the hard work starts in pre-season and our hope is that these signings send a clear signal to all the young players within our under 23s, Academy and youth sections that the Dockers pathway is a reality.”

FAVERSHAM TOWN have appointed local businessman Gary Smart – whose print management supply company already sponsor the clubs shirts - as their new chairman.

Former director Marc Leader will return to the board as vice-chairman along with Dean Kent.  Paul Ramsden has also joined the board, while Wendy Walker remains club secretary and Keith Chilvers continues his role as director of youth development at the Isthmian League South East Division club.

“The search for a new manager has already begun, with interviews of candidates shortlisted from the many applicants starting shortly,” said a club statement.

“With the club’s financial future now secure, the appointment of a successor to James Collins is seen as an immediate priority for the board and an announcement is expected in the near future.”

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley has announced the departure of midfielder Kieron McCann, who made 177 appearances (146 starts) in two spells for the Isthmian League Premier Division club, scoring 26 goals.

“I’m sorry to see Kieron go, as he is a bubbly presence off the pitch and a good player on it,” Cugley told the club website.

“He was unfortunate to suffer the knee injury which kept him out for a while but by the end of the season he was playing well and of course not only was he willing to play in the Kent Senior Cup Final against Dartford, but he played on the unfamiliar right-hand side which showed his commitment to the team.  I hope everything works out for him in the future.”

GLEBE manager Luke Rooney continues preparing for his first campaign in charge of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division third-placed finishers by signing Freddie Cray, James Dyer and Ollie Lankshear.

HERNE BAY celebrated winnnig the Kent Women's Plate last night, courtesy of Emily Brown's 85th minute winner against Cray Valley in Maidstone.

HOLMESDALE under 23 manager Adam Groom takes his side to Sheerwater tomorrow (15:00) to contest the Suburban League South Division Mini-League Play-Off Final.

This will be the Bromley based club's final game in the Suburban League as they will be playing in the newly-created SCEFL Development League next season.

HYTHE TOWN manager Steven Watt has added two new centre-halves in the shape of Lex Allan, 22, and Jack Steventon, 23, having signed them from their isthmian League South East Division rivals Sittingbourne and Ashford United respectively.

Riley Alford, Connor Cheek, Ollie Gray, Jack Mayhew, George Sibley, Liam Smith and Morgan Williamson have also been retained.

The club have confirmed that Alex Flisher, Jarred Trespaderne and Josh Stirman will be playing their football at Reachfields Stadium next season.

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED manager Ennio Gonnella has appointed George Jones as his assistant manager ahead of the Dartford club’s Southern Counties East Football League First Division campaign next season.

MARGATE newly-appointed manager Andy Drury has signed striker Emmanuel Oluwasemo from Isthmian League South East Division side Faversham Town, who is the clubs third summer signing behind Taylor Fisher and Troy Howard.

Drury told the club website: “Emmanuel is another player that deserves the opportunity to step up and show what he can do at this level.

“He was fantastic last season for Faversham and I think he can be the same for us here at Margate. 

“He is quick, direct and knows where the goal is and that is something you need in this division.”

Meanwhile, Ben Greenhalgh has been appointed Margate’s captain next season.

PUNJAB UNITED Chipie Sian has signed combative midfielder Lea Dawson and right-back Chris Edwards, who both ended last season in the Isthmian League South East Division with VCD Athletic and Sevenoaks Town respectively.

The Gravesend-based Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division outfit have retained centre-half Stephen Ratcliff.

ROCHESTER UNITED manager Matt Hume has retained the services of assistant manager Steve Tremain and goalkeeper coach Sam Sketchley.

Meanwhile, the Southern Counties East Football League First Division outfit have yesterday brought in Michael Betts (head coach) and Dan East (assistant coach).

SHEPPEY UNITED manager Ernie Batten has retained Jefferson Aibangbee, Billy Bennett, Liam Gillies, Dean Grant, Michael Hagan, Ashley Sains and Renford Tenyue.

The quadruple winners have also announced the departures of goalkeeper pair Adam Molloy (who has signed for Erith & Belvedere today), and his understudy Liam Northwood. 

The newly-promoted Isthmian League South East Division side have also announced the departures of holding midfielder Helge Orome and centre-half Jahmal Howlett-Mundle.

SNODLAND TOWN manager Luke Wallond has appointed Liam Martin as joint first-team coach, having held an advisory role at the Southern Counties East Football League First Division club last season.

Wallond has retained the services of former Sevenoaks Town midfielder Ben Davisson, winger Dan Ashton and goalkeeper Shaun Wicks – who all played a key role in the club finishing in fourth-place last season, which was the clubs highest ever league position.

Wallond has enticed midfielder Darren Marsden - who has played for several clubs in the Isthmian League - to the club.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Jay Saunders has signed former Ashford United midfielder Tommie Fagg, 24.

Fagg scored 11 goals for the Isthmian League South East Division runners-up last season and Saunders told the club website: “He’s a box to box player in the style of Lee Minshull for whom Angels fans will have fond memories.  Tommie has had other offers with arguably greater financial incentives, but he wanted to join us and be part of our project.”

Saunders, meanwhile, has retained the services of goalkeeper Jonny Henly but striker Tommy Wood has left the club and has signed for their National League South rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough.

WELLING TOWN manager/chairman Kevin Oakes has signed two former Phoenix Sports players in Zak Bryon and George Whitelock.

WELLING UNITED manager Warren Feeney has announced that his goalkeeper Sam Jackson, defender Aaron Barnes, have signed contracts to stay at the National League South club next season.

The Wings have snapped up striker Ashley Nzala, who scored 14 goals for Isthmian League North Division third-placed finishers Brentwood Town last season.

WHITSTABLE TOWN newly-appointed manager Richard Styles has announced that five players from last season's relegated squad will remain at Belmont Road ahead of the club's return to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Dan Eason, Harry Goodger, Tom Mills, Will Thomas and Danny Walder will be playing for the former Tunbridge Wells manager next term.