Soccer Shorts: Dagenham & Redbridge snap up former Angels defender Nathan Green

ASHFORD UNITED’S former assistant manager John Ovard has explained why he  left the Southern Counties East Football League club on 21 May.

The club have since appointed Lloyd Blackman as his replacement.

Ovard told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: “I wanted to clarify why I left.  I had no choice but to leave the club and after reading and hearing people’s comments recently just set the record straight so there was no confusion.

“I was informed by Paul (Chambers) by telephone that the chairman had told him in a meeting that my position would be unpaid this season and that all expenses incurred would be unpaid.

“I was on £30 a week when I joined Ashford when the club was in the Kent Invicta League and continued on that amount last season in the Kent League so to be told by Paul that the club wished to cease that this year I felt was very unfair especially considering the progress the team had made.

“I couldn’t really afford to do all what I do and cover all the costs involved so didn’t feel I had any choice in leaving and it made me feel unwanted at the club and that my position wasn’t deemed appreciated for the job I did.

“I purchased training equipment, balls, bibs and travelled to watch teams that Ashford would be playing in the FA Vase, FA Cup and League so to be honest £30 never covered everything anyway but it did help out and it showed gratitude for what I was doing.

“Clearly I didn’t do my job for the money. I did it to help enhance the teams progress and to do my job as best as possible and be as professional as possible, which I felt I did.

“I do wish the team all the very best success for this year and hopefully they can go that little bit further and win the division and to wish good luck to Lloyd in his role. I know he will do a good job in helping and training the players.

“I enjoyed my time with the club. I’ve made some good friends there but now look for a new challenge so thanks again for the support and maybe see you all again from an opposition dug-out in the future.”

BECKENHAM TOWN stages the Women’s Super League 2 match between third-placed Millwall Lionesses and leaders Doncaster Belles at Eden Park Avenue on Sunday 29 June (kick-off 2:00pm).

BROMLEY have confirmed that they have sold a record number of season tickets.  The Ravens finished their seventh season in Conference South in third-place last season, which was their best campaign in the division.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager Wayne Burnett has signed former Tonbridge Angels defender Nathan Green, 23.

Burnett, formerly the manager at Fisher Athletic and Dulwich Hamlet, told www.daggers.co.uk: “I’m very pleased to have signed Nathan. We’ve been tracking Nathan Green for a couple of months. We’ve had numerous reports on him.  He’s a bit raw, but I see potential in him and see attributes in him that can see him become a League player.”

Green is the second player that the Daggers boss has signed from a Kent non-league club, having taken last season’s Conference South Golden Boot winner Bradley Goldberg from Bromley, where he was on a season long loan.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has unveiled the signing of former Gillingham goalkeeper Jason Brown, 32, from Conference South side Sutton United.

“I am really pleased to have Jason on board with us this season,” Burman told www.dartfordfconline.com.  

“I have spoken to him a number of times over the last six months and I am delighted that he has finally decided to sign for Dartford.

“He will work closely with Tony Kessell (goalkeeper coach) and Deren Ibrahim and without doubt will pass on considerable knowledge through his League and international (with Wales) experience.”

Burman revealed that he has only lost former Ebbsfleet United defender Paul Lorraine, who cannot commit to Conference Premier football through his work commitments.

“After our reprieve from relegation I have spoken to all the players who have signed contracts during the close season.

“With the exception of Paul Lorraine, who cannot commit to the demands of the Conference Premier League, all other players will be staying at Dartford for the coming season.”

DEAL Town’s newly-appointed manager Darren Anslow has unveiled his first summer signing by bringing former Gillingham and Erith & Belvedere goalkeeper Ashley Bourne, 20, to the Charles Sports Ground.

FISHER will stage their Annual General Meeting at Canada Water Library on Sunday 29 June at 2pm.

The Southern Counties East Football League club expect Southwark Council’s planning committee to consider the club’s proposals for a new ground on Salter Road, close to their former ground, on 1 July.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley says the club are staging an opening meeting at the club on Wednesday 2 July at 19:30.

The pre-season get-together will be held at The Wilf Armory Suite in the Invicta Club at the club’s ground.

Cugley, who will be one of the main speakers at the start of his 18th season in the job, joked: “It’ll be nice to have a meeting for once where we’re not asking for money – that probably comes later in the season!!

“Seriously, though, everything at the club is very, very positive right now.  I just can’t wait to get started.”

GREENWICH BOROUGH confirm that chairman Perry Skinner has already had a number of phone conversations with Edgar Davids, the former Netherlands International, about joining the club as player for the coming season.

“The potential role would also include some ambassadorial work on behalf of the club and would see Greenwich Borough supporting Edgar in the development of his Street Soccer Schools,” said a club statement.

“Davids is currently in Brazil commentating on the World Cup and further discussions are scheduled to take place.

“This is part of the club’s five-year plan to be playing Conference football.  By that time the plan is that the club will be playing in its own purpose built complex back in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.”

The Southern Counties East Football League club will be playing at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium for a second season this term.

Former Crystal Palace, England and Arsenal striker, Ian Wright, now 50, played for Greenwich Borough at the age of 21, before being snapped up by the Eagles.

HOLLANDS & BLAIR midfielder Tom Michelson took the plaudits at the club’s presentation evening.  He walked away with three awards, players’ player of the year, the manager’s player of the year as well as the man of the match award. Leading goalscorer James McDonald was runner-up in the Players’ Player.

HYTHE TOWN manager Tim Dixon is holding a first team trial at South Road Recreation Ground in the town on Thursday, 26 June at 6:45pm.

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED are delighted to announce an on-going partnership from June 2014 to support the development of the Dartford based club.

The Kent Invicta League club feel privileged as an FA Charter Standard Club to be chosen and recommended by the FA for a partnership with McDonalds.

After ongoing meetings this month the fast food giant have agreed to sponsor the club £500 for the first season.

Chosen at random, Craig Salmon and Paul Pragnell’s Under 9s team will be receiving and wearing the McDonalds sponsored strip next season. In addition, all club teams will be receiving McDonalds sponsored equipment for the 2014/15 season.

Due to the nature of the partnership McDonalds do not want to just support the clubs for one season, it is their intention to support the development of Kent Football United over the coming years which is amazing news for the club.

Club development officer Sam MacNeil told the club’s website: "What a huge coup for this football club. Having a global brand behind us as a major partnership is huge, coupled with the move to our new ground and the growth of the club it has gone mad this summer! I am honoured that our club has been chosen out of over 150 clubs Charter Standard to receive this partnership and I am confident that Kent Football United and McDonalds in tandem will provide a bright future for all current and future members of our club." 
  
MARGATE were delighted to be involved this morning as BBC Radio Kent visited the sands of Margate to discuss on air the importance of people getting involved in sport this summer.

Representing the Ryman Premier League club was Head of Football in the Community Wayne Wilson alongside eight Academy players who boasted their skills in front of the live radio station.

The feature was based around people getting involved in sport, something Margate Football Club remains committed to encouraging through their work in the Community.

The event was also attended by former Premier League Referee Paul Alcock.

Australian Wilson realises how important it is that people participate in sport.

“Today was a great opportunity for us to get out show the local Community just how important it is to be playing sport, whether that is football, cricket, rugby or any other sport that people enjoy,” said the midfielder on the club’s website www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“For us at Margate Football Club we look at ensuring that first and foremost sport is fun. No matter of your gender, age or ability everyone should enjoy playing sport and we 100% encourage all participation.”

The Hartsdown Park club has lots of opportunities to play sport through its Community Scheme.

For more information about their Community Scheme please contact Wayne Wilson via e-mail on wayne.wilson@margate-fc.com.  

SEVEN ACRE & SIDCUP’S veterans’ side will play their home games at Oxford Road, Sidcup next season. The club’s first team will be playing on the grass pitch at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue for the next three years.

Meanwhile, the early rounds of The FA Cup/FA Trophy/FA Vase and FA Youth Cup will be drawn on Friday 4 July 2014.