Soccer Shorts: Bromley pull off coup by signing star striker Adam Birchall

Forward Adam Birchall, 29, began his career at Arsenal but will be remembered by many supporters as the striker who scored 64 goals in 78 appearances for Dover Athletic between 2007 and 2009, before signing for Gillingham.

Harry Grant joins the club having spent a large part of last season on loan at Maidenhead United from Gillingham. The midfielder scored eight goals for the Magpies.

Defender Sam Long, 24, joins the club from Chelmsford City. His former sides include Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Grays Athletic and Margate .

Midfielder Reece Prestedge captained Bishop's Stortford to the FA Cup First Round Proper last season and finished the season as their leading goalscorer with 11 goals.

Bromley manager Mark Goldberg says he remains in talks with a number of last season’s squad.

DOVER ATHLETIC are delighted to announce Chris Kinnear has been named the Skrill South manager of the month award for April/May following Whites' promotion to the Conference Premier.

Whites lost only once in that spell - 1-0 away to eventual champions Eastleigh - and dramatically clinched the final play-off spot on goal difference on the last day of the regular season.

They defeated Sutton United 4-1 on aggregate, despite playing 87 minutes of the second leg with 10 men, before prevailing 1-0 winners at Ebbsfleet United in the Promotion Final.

It is the second time Kinnear has scooped up this award since his return to Crabble, with the manager picking up his first in February 2013 just a month after becoming Dover manager for the second time.

HYTHE TOWN are giving supporters a chance to meet the club’s new manager and chairman.

All supporters, volunteers, sponsors and friends are invited to Reachfields Stadium on Friday, 30 May at 7pm, to meet the club’s new chairman and management team.

The board hopes for a good turn out to welcome and meet (chairman) Trevor Kennett and (manager) Tim Dixon as well as Tim's newly appointed management team. 
 
This is also the opportunity for those who have expressed an interest in helping out during the close season, or are interested in the proposed new supporters club, or would just like to get more involved with the Ryman League Division One South club to talk with club officials.    

Secretary Martin Giles said: “This is all about keeping our supporters informed about our plans for the coming season. The board have been very busy and now want to bring everyone who supports the club up to date because they all form a very important part of the club's future. This is not a formal meeting, it’s just a chance to get to know more about your club and the people running it, so please attend if you possibly can."

MAIDSTONE UNITED have unveiled the arrival of midfielder James Rogers, 29, from Dover Athletic.

The Stones will be the fourth Kent club for the midfielder, who started his playing career at Dover Athletic.  After an initial stint there between 2013 and 2010, which included promotion from the Ryman Premier League, Rogers moved along the coast to Margate.

From there he signed for Dartford in March 2011 and was in the team that won promotion to the Conference Premier under Tony Burman.

However, he re-joined Dover last September, playing his part in their rise to the top flight of non-league football.

Rogers is a left-sided player, playing most of his career on the left wing but has also featured in central midfield and at left-back.

PHOENIX SPORTS joint-manager Steve O’Boyle says the Southern Counties East Football League club are looking for a match-day physio next season.  If anyone is interested please call him on 07977 490 547.

RAMSGATE boss Justin Luchford says he has lost out to a couple of players to their Ryman League Division One South rivals Whitstable Town.

Whitstable Town’s newly-appointed joint-manager Jim Ward has been in contact with Ollie Gray and Nick Treadwell and has persuaded them both to move along the Kent coast to The Belmont.

“I had been in contact with Ollie yesterday afternoon and he advised me what he was looking for from us next season,” Luchford told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.  

“I said I would contact him by the end of the week, once I had spoken to my team and the board.

“As it happens, from what I understand, Ollie and Nick were invited down to Whitstable last night and were offered terms for next season.

“Unfortunately the terms offered by Whitstable were a lot higher than we had anticipated offering from our end and so Ollie decided to sign there and then.

“I am not sure about the terms for Nick, but suffice to say, they too were good terms for him.”

Luchford added: “At the end of the day you cannot fault the lads, if that’s what they want to do. I have no issues with either player, as since I took over here they have given me 100%, and that is all I can ask.

“The fact of the matter is, Jim (Ward) will be speaking to and has spoken to a few of our players already, and that is not anything that we didn’t expect. Whether it is in season or out of season it would have happened.

“I would like to wish Ollie and Nick well for next season, and I know Nick is away travelling for the month of July, so I hope he enjoys that as well.”

Luchford expects former Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon, who has taken charge of league rivals Hythe Town this week, to approach players.

He said: “However, we have our own agenda and are very happy with how things are progressing. This won’t be the first time or the last time our players get spoken to by another club.

“Tim has taken over at Hythe (and it’s great to see him back in quickly) and we expect there to be approaches there as well. It’s not a problem, as all us managers have a job to do and unfortunately at this time of year the merry-go-round of footballers starts.

“You don’t get many (loyal) players like Warren Schulz and Ben Laslett anymore – players will go to another club for the extra tenner as they feel that’s important to them and that’s fine from my side.

“We are trying to build something here for the longer term. We want players that want to be here and not players whose first question is the money.

“I have been fortunate in that everyone I have signed (so far) has talked about the club and what we are trying to achieve rather than the money.

“I have been around long enough now to know that some players go for the money, and before, I used to try and get them no matter what.

“Now, I think differently, it’s about the right player at the right price that is right for the team. If they feel that extra bit of money is more important than playing for our club, then we will wish them well.”

Luchford has confirmed that three players have all agreed terms and have put pen to paper to stay at Southwood Stadium.

He said: “On a more positive note, I am delighted to say that Curtis Robinson, Tom Chapman and Aaron Beech have all agreed terms and signed forms for next season.

“These three in particular, excited me during the last few weeks of the season.

“I didn’t get to see much of Beechy due to the bad tackle at Burgess Hill, but before that he was very good and that was without a pre-season behind him. He will give us that bite in the middle of the park and he works tirelessly in there and will have a big part to play next season.

“Curtis is one of those that people have lots of different opinions on – where he should play etc.

“He didn’t enjoy playing at the back last season and whilst I took a look at him there, his best work under me was going the other way. That’s where he wants to be and that’s where I’ll be trying to get the best out of him. He’s a Ryman Premier player and we need to get him back up to those standards again.

“Tom, it goes without saying, is a fans’ favourite. He will give us width next season as well as other options in the final third that I am looking at. Tom is a great lad to work with and will do anything for the wider team, which is an asset in itself.