Soccer Shorts: John Beales pens new contract to stay at Margate
BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg has unveiled the signings of former Sutton United pair, winger Damian Scannell and striker Jamie Slabber, 29, and former AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Seb Brown, 24.
The club has confirmed that Danny Waldren, 24, an important cog in midfield, has also put pen to paper to stay at Hayes Lane.
The quartet join Adam Bailey-Dennis, Adam Birchall, Ali Fuseini, Harry Grant, Jack Holland, Joe Anderson, Louis Dennis, Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Reece Prestedge, Rob Swaine, Sam Higgins and Sam Long at Hayes Lane next season.
However, striker Bradley Goldberg, 20, has left the club following his successful season-long loan to return to sign a one-year contract at League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.
Goldberg, who used to support Bromley from the Hayes Lane terraces as a kid, scooped the Conference South Golden Boot last season with 23 goals for the Ravens whilst on loan from the Daggers.
He also scored Hastings’ goal – a dipping 25-yard screamer - in their 4-1 FA Cup Third Round defeat at Middlesbrough in January 2013
The striker tweeted: “Pleased to sign new deal with Daggers, want to thank all the Bromley fans for their support and the club for a great season last year.”
Jerry Dolke, Bromley’s owner, tweeted: “Thanks for all the goals for us last year and here’s to lots more for the Daggers.”
CRAY WANDERERS boss Keith Bird has unveiled the signing of striker Shaun Welford.
Welford scored 38 goals in 51 games for Hythe Town after playing for Maidstone United, Margate and Dover Athletic and joins former Cannons team-mate, midfielder Danny Lye at Hayes Lane for the club’s Ryman League Division One North campaign following relegation last season.
Bird told the club’s website: “I am delighted we have signed Shaun. He is a proven goalscorer and very experienced.
“There was a lot of interest in both Shaun and Danny Lye from other clubs.
“They are both leaders and we are very pleased they decided to join us.
“Things are shaping up nicely for next season’s squad. Discussions are still ongoing with other players so further announcements will be made shortly.”
Welford tweeted: “Looking forward to a new challenge next season in the Ryman North. Hopefully helping Cray Wanderers spring straight back up.”
The club confirmed that Pat O’Connor, Ishmeal Miller and Peter Smith have signed for the club.
Midfielder Smith helped VCD Athletic win the Ryman League Division One North title last season.
Meanwhile, Darren Behcet, Nic Taylor, Nathan Simpson, Adrian Stone, Richard Monan, Alex Stavrinou, Gary Beckett, Dmitri Larin, Jordan Bird and Carlos Talbot have all re-signed from last season’s squad.
HYTHE TOWN confirm that Dan Eason, James Morrish, Josh Burchell, Louis Sprossen, Lee Pleau, John Walker and Craig Thompson have all re-signed to play for new boss Tim Dixon next season.
EBBSFLEET UNITED midfielder Daryl McMahon, 30 – the club’s Academy manager – has put pen to paper to remain at Stonebridge Road next season.
Midfielder Dean Rance, 22, and striker Ben May, 30, have also re-signed for the club.
Rance tweeted that he wants to win promotion next season, saying “Delighted to have signed a new two-year deal at Ebbsfleet United. Exciting times are coming to this club, couldn’t be swayed away.”
Manager Steve Brown has tied down eighteen players for the new season, having reached the Conference South play-off final last season, losing 1-0 to Kent rivals Dover Athletic.
Brown has snapped up striker Matt Godden, 22, defender Kenny Clark, 25 and midfielder, Tom Fraser, 26 and Matt Johnson, 24.
The quartet have signed from Scunthorpe United, Dartford, Whitehawk and Bishop’s Stortford respectively.
Godden, who tweeted that he is looking for accommodation in Kent, said: “I’m delighted to say I’ve sorted my future out and have signed two-years at Ebbsfleet United.
“I’d like to say a massive thanks to everyone linked with Scunthorpe United. I really enjoyed my seven years there.”
LINGFIELD’S under 9s achieved the distinction of finishing as runners-up after losing 2-0 to Biggleswade Town at the Arsenal seven-a-side tournament at the home of the FA Cup winners.
Joint-coach Nick Sweeny told the club website: “The boys exceeded expectations and with their skill and determination did our club proud.”
The players’ received their runners-up medals from former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour, who played for the Gunners between 1992-2004.
Sweeny added: “It was a memorable occasion for all of us who were involved from the village.”
The club’s first team will be playing in the Southern Counties East Football League when the new season kicks off on 9 August.
MAIDSTONE UNITED are staging a charity match tomorrow (1 June) (14:15 kick-off) to raise money for the Haart of Kent Hospice (one of the club’s nominated charities) and the Pilgrims Hospices which has sites in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet.
Tickets for the Razor Ruddock charity match will be available on the gate.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham defender is heading up a Razor Ruddock XI against a team of All Stars, including Mark Stimson, Ralf Little, Paul Terry, Danny Granville, DJ Spoony and current Gillingham assistant manager, Andy Hessenthaler.
MARGATE have confirmed that defender John Beales has signed a one-year contract to stay at the club.
Beales, 29, who joined the club from Tonbridge Angels in 2011, has played over 100 games for the club and will add vital experience to the side next season.
Beales told the club website: “I am really happy to sign this new deal.
“This is going to be a really exciting season for all involved at Margate Football Club.
“Terry and Stuart (Cash) have laid out their vision to me and there was no doubt. I wanted to play my football here at Hartsdown Park next season.”
Manager Terry Brown added: “John has great leadership qualities and I know he wants nothing more than a successful season here at Margate Football Club.”