Soccer Shorts: John Ovard quits Ashford United

ASHFORD UNITED parted company with assistant manager John Ovard on 21 May.

Ashford resident Ovard tweeted: “Due to enforced changes directed to me, I feel I have no other option but to resign from my position of assistant manager at Ashford United.  I enjoyed my time at the club and was a pleasure to work with the players there as they are a good bunch.”

The club finished runners-up in the Southern Counties East Football League last season and a club statement, which was published on www.ashfordunitedfc.com,  said: “All at Ashford United would like to thank John for the part he played in a very successful season and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

CRAY WANDERERS have unveiled the signing of former Hythe Town midfielder Danny Lye.

The club will be playing Ryman League Division One North football for the first time next season after finishing at the foot of the Ryman Premier League last time out.

Lye tweeted: “Very happy to have agreed to sign for Cray this coming season. New club, new league.  Thanks for all the offers from clubs around Kent.

“Thanks to everyone (at Hythe Town) that made me feel welcome at a good club.  As you know I am now a part of your for inventing the Cannons.”

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC will be running two under 18 squads next season, one will be run by the club’s youth section and will play in the Crowborough & District Junior Football League.

The other under 18 squad will be run by the senior section and will compete in the higher standard Sussex County Youth League East Division.

The club already have players still eligible to play at U18 level and therefore, they have gained a year's experience playing at Sussex County Youth League in season 2013/14 and will be classed as second year players in next seasons squads as they will be Under 17's or will not reach their 18th birthday until after the season starts.

With the aim of improving the squads and in an effort to try and give young lads the chance to prolong and improve their careers, Crowborough Athletic are holding trials at the Alderbrook Recreation Ground on Sunday 22 June 2014.

To register your attendance at the trial, an initial email needs to be sent to the trial co-ordinator, David Sales, via the email address of zalesfamily@hotmail.com.  

Your email should contain your name, date of birth, previous playing experience, position played and a return email address.

A club statement said: “The reason is to gauge the amount of interest and to find out how many players will be attending the trials. The co-ordinator and the coaches want to give every player the best possible chance to gain a position within the squads and therefore, the trial does need to be organised in a professional manner.”

Registration on the day at the Alderbrook Recreation Ground is at 10:45am and the trial will end at 12:30pm. Players should bring suitable clothing and footwear for the weather on the day as the trials will be held on a grass pitch.

The manager and coaches at the club Mick Conlon, Adrian Beaton and Phil Simpson, look forward to meeting any Under 16/Under 17's from season 2013/14 and who want to achieve now at senior level.

The East Sussex club will be competing in the Southern Counties East Football League next season and have been joined by Surrey pair Croydon and Lingfield to take the total number of member clubs to 20.

EBBSFLEET UNITED have confirmed that four of last season’s squad have put pen to paper to stay at Stonebridge Road.

Winger, Anthony Cook, 24, midfielder Michael Corcoran, right-back Joe Howe, 26, and defender Shane Huke have re-signed for the club.

ERITH TOWN are looking for someone to fulfil the role of fixture secretary at the club.

Following Paul Carter’s move to replace long-serving secretary as club secretary, the club are looking for a volunteer to fill in.

Previous experience is an advantage but training and support will be provided to anyone without experience to anyone who wants to get involved in football. 

If you would be interested in doing this vital job at the Southern Counties East Football League club then please call Paul Carter on 07863 347 587.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA company secretary Jim Pellatt says the club will install seating at Cheriton Road by the start of the new season.

The club were without seating after the roof of the main stand was damaged in a storm over Christmas.

Invicta installed 28 seats in time for the play-off final but the club will have to meet ground grading criteria before the start of the new campaign.

Mr Pellatt told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “As far as the ground is concerned and having looked at all options, we concluded that demolishing the (main) stand and moving the seats over to the Brian Merryman stand was the only option to have us ready for the new season, and what we could afford in the short term.

“This buys us time to pursue discussions regarding a new stand to replace the demolished one and we are looking into grants and other ways to facilitate that.

“We are also aware of the need for a directors and officials area - and its proximity, or otherwise to boardroom hospitality.

“There are possibilities to facilitate that.

“I am sorry we have been slow to bring supporters up to date, but the whole matter of securing ground insurance, the lease, and building work and so on, and has been quite time consuming and has only really come together in the last few days.”

HERNE BAY ladies’ manager Anthony Deer is holding trials for new players for his successful team.

Herne Bay won the League Cup, retained the Kent Women’s Plate with a 7-1 win over Bromley and were runners up in the South East Counties Women’s League Division One East.

The trials will take place at Winch’s Field at 7:15pm on Tuesday 3 June and Thursday 5 June.

“All abilities are welcome and if there is enough interest we may even consider running a reserve team next season,” Deer told the club’s website.

He can be contacted on 07900 897873 or email deery26@adfootballacademy.co.uk.

LYDD TOWN will stage the Weald of Kent Junior Cup Final on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May (kick-off at 11:30am).

Lydd Town’s reserve side will play Borden Village Reserves at The Lindsey Field.

MERIDIAN VP are searching for a new reserve team management team.  Interested parties should contact the Charlton-based Kent Invicta League club at dtamna@meridianfc.co.uk.

The reserve side currently ply their trade in the Haart of Kent County League.

The successful candidate must have experience at FA Football Pyramid level and have the ability of good man management together with FA Level 2 qualification minimum.

A club statement, which was published on the club website, said: “The candidate should also appoint their own management team set-up within the team which is a key criteria with all coaches to be qualified with all standard qualifications for Charter Standard Status requirements.

“Please note the vacant position(s) is voluntary role. Enthusiasm, commitment, discipline, development and a sense of purpose are some of the key elements the club are looking for in the required candidate.”

SITTINGBOURNE have confirmed that Andy Spice has stepped down from his vice-chairman role and has been replaced by Ken Medwyn.

The club held their annual general meeting on Thursday night where Maurice Dunk was voted to stay on as chairman of the Ryman League Division One South club.

Former chairman Andy Spice and his wife Tania were both voted in as life presidents for all they have done for the club over a number of years.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS striker Andy Irvine has confirmed that he has left Culverden Stadium after scoring 42 goals in 76 appearances for Martin Larkin’s side.

Irvine, who works in recruitment, tweeted: “Thank you Tunbridge Wells and Martin Larkin for the past three seasons – great memories!  Time now for a new challenge.”

VCD ATHLETIC have confirmed that midfielder Karl Dent has signed a new one-year contract to remain at the club ahead of the club’s inaugural Ryman Premier League campaign.

WELLING UNITED manager Jamie Day has made a couple of permanent signings this week.

Striker Rod Young, 19, has signed a one-year deal at the Conference Premier club.

He joined Norwich City from Exeter City and is Essex based and can also play in midfield. 

Young was part of the Norwich City team that beat Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup Final before being released at the end of last season.

He also spent time on loan at Conference South side Bishop’s Stortford last season.

The Wings has added midfielder Matthew Harriott, 22, to their quad on a one-year deal following his release from Northampton Town.

Harriott started out at Luton Town as a youth player and moved on to Sheffield United where he appeared for the first team before going on to Northampton Town.

WHITSTABLE TOWN joint-manager Jim Ward and his brother Danny have unveiled their first signings.

The Scottish brothers took charge of the club on 16 May after Nicky Southall stepped down from the role on 7 May.

Steve Nolan has left the club to join Tim Dixon’s management team at Hythe Town, so the Ward brothers have appointed Will Graham as first team coach and youth development officer.

One of his primary roles being to link up with the under 18 and under 21 managers ensuring continued player development and progression through to the first team whenever possible.

Whilst a number of current players were highlighted as players to remain at the club and have since been offered terms to stay, others have been spoken to in order to ensure all have had the opportunity to express their own desire to either play for their places or move on.

Highly-rated pair, goalkeeper Luke Watkins and winger Scott Heard have put pen to paper, together with a number of others that include Jake Mackenzie and Joe Lester.

Also re-joining the Ward brothers are their former players that include the experienced Simon Pettit – whom has been made club captain - Luke Girt (from Sittingbourne), Ollie Gray and Nick Treadwell (Ramsgate).

Jim Ward will unveil another summer signing at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning.

Danny Ward told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk: “It’s a great opportunity at the club and one of our first objectives is to assemble a small squad that can be supplemented by emerging talent from our under 18s and under 21s.”

Since Marc Seager guided the club to the Kent League title in 2007, the club has not finished in the top thirteen in the Ryman League in seven attempts.

Danny Ward added: “On the playing front our first target is to exceed the previous best position of the club since their promotion to the Ryman League some seven years ago.  After that let’s see what happens, although we naturally want to win every game.”

Jim Ward, 63, added: “It’s a great club. Me and Danny are relishing the start of the season, which is only 11 weeks away.

“We’ll be running with a tight squad but we’re very close to where we want to be.

“We are waiting for the not from a couple of defenders right now but in the meantime if you think you’re up to the standard, why not call us?”

The club report back for pre-season training on Saturday, 28 June at 10:00.

Non registered players whom believe they have what it takes to join Whitstable Town, for whichever level, are invited to contact the club for trials.  In the first instance send your contact details & CV to secretary@whitstabletownfc.co.uk marked trials.

Meanwhile, the club are on the search for a new physio (to replace Donna Walker), commercial manager, match day stewards and a car park steward ahead of the new season.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS have confirmed that former Bromley and Cray Wanderers midfielder Sam Wood, 27, has signed a new contract which will keep him at Adams Park until 2016.

Wood has impressed at both left-back and left-midfield in his 87 appearances to date for the League Two club.