Kentish Football

Soccer Shorts: Royston's poor displays linked to swine flu

Friday 17th July 2009
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RYAN ROYSTON has become the second Kent footballer to be diagnosed with Swine Flu.

Maidstone United joint-manager Alan Walker, speaking to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk , revealed the central defender, a PE Teacher, had caused concern following rare poor performances against Accrington Stanley and Dover Athletic last week.

“Ryan played poorly and we now know that was because he was coming down with swine flu,” said Walker.

“Ryan could not understand why he was struggling so much and he was thinking that he couldn’t cut it at Ryman Premier League level any more but it was obviously because he was becoming unwell.

“I spoke to Ryan yesterday and he was feeling a bit better but he won’t be involved tomorrow.  Touch wood no one else has reported any swine flu symptoms and we hope that it stays that way.”

General manager Bill Williams confirmed Royston will be recovering at his Sidcup home.

“There is no evidence that the risk of the virus spreading within the club is greater than in the general population,” said Mr Williams.

“The club has secured the best medical advice to help preventing it spreading and felt that supporters should be aware.”

Reflecting on the Stones 3-1 defeat to Dover Athletic at The Homelands in midweek, Walker says Andy Hessenthaler’s men can claim their third successive title.

He said: “I don’t want to put any pressure on Dover but I think they have an excellent chance of going straight through the Conference South next season.

“They have a fantastic squad and like Wimbledon last year they have the money to bring in players if they need to.

Walker, who takes his side to Croydon Athletic tomorrow added: “I am glad it wasn’t an easy game for us and like in the match against Accrington (which they lost 2-0), we had to chase the ball around at times which can only be beneficial to our players in terms of their fitness.”

But former Dover midfield playmaker Alan Pouton has signed for the Stones, pleasing Walker.  “We are very pleased to have signed him as he is an excellent footballer who will hopefully provide some much needed ammunition to our forward line.

“He is not a box to box player so you will see him sitting quite deep but he can deliver quality balls forward from such positions.”

RAMSGATE coach Richard Langley says he has got players fit and raring to go, ahead of their opening pre-season friendly at Deal Town tomorrow.

“Since the end of last season an enormous amount of work has been done in and around the club,” Langley told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.

“On the playing front Jim (Ward) has worked tirelessly getting a squad together, and after my appointment as first team coach it was not long before the onus was on me to start repaying the faith Jim had shown by getting the squad into shape to challenge for a return to Ryman Premier football.

"Without harping on about the frustration and disappointment of last season, everything for this coming season had to be much more positive. In my mind there were things that needed changing in both training and on a match day and after a few discussions with Jim, who has been very supportive and let me get on with it, we have made some changes. 

Together with these changes it was extremely important that a well-prepared and planned pre-season training schedule was put together in order to give the players some motivation and enjoyment.”

"Although I knew most of the players and had been involved in the coaching at the end of last season, I still had to quickly earn their respect. 

“It was also paramount to get a good team spirit and togetherness back (something that was obviously missing at the end of last season) as well as getting the squad fit (without crossing that fine line, when focusing on fitness, that you don't ask too much of them and they start getting injuries on the training ground). I had to instil some discipline on and off the pitch/training ground, and get them to enjoy being at Ramsgate and what they were doing.

"I must say that on paper it appeared to be a tall order and looked very daunting. At times I wondered whether there were too many changes, however the rules were laid down, we got on with it, and it could not have gone better. Everything we have done in training has been as a squad, no one has been left out or behind whilst doing the hard work and we all help each other through it (we have also added a competitive edge with the small sided team games and at the same time had a good laugh on the way).

"In truth, the response I have had so far from the players has been excellent - I have not had any moans or complaints, not even when they are out on their legs and have been asked to do some more! We have also not had a single injury as a result of the hard schedule. Although there is still a fair way to go I think many people will be surprised at how much a squad can change in such a short space of time. 

“The new players have been more than welcomed by the old, and the players stepping up from reserve and under 18 level have risen to the challenge and the squad is starting to gel really well.

"We have a good squad with a mixture of both youth and experience who are really looking forward to the challenge of next season. However, with another 4 weeks before the real test of league action starts, we will keep our feet firmly on the ground, carry on working hard, see how things go in the friendlies, address any issues there may be, and make sure we are as ready as we can be on the 15th August."

LEE GLEDHILL, who has played most of his football here in Kent, is completing the London to Brighton bike ride in aid of the Heart Foundation on Sunday.

Now playing for Ryman League Division One South side Metropolitan Police, the Dartford based right-back, is hoping to raise money for the Met’s home game against the Darts at Imber Court tomorrow.

“Lee and his partner lost their unborn baby earlier this week due to difficulties with the baby’s heart,” said a Met Police FC spokesman.

“Lee is understandably devastated but is still finding the strength to complete the bike ride which he was already completing prior to knowing about the complications.

“Lee is now even more determined which tells you a lot about his character.”

The admission prices for tomorrow’s friendly, the Darts first one against Ryman League opposition, has been confirmed at £5 (adults) and £3 (children) and the home club will donate £1 from every entrance fee to Gledhill’s bike ride.

ERITH TOWN  have last night signed winger Ben Yiadom, 24, from Croydon.

Dockers’ manager Steve O’Boyle, speaking to www.erithtown.com , says the former Greenwich Borough player has been a target for some time.

He said: “He has been a target for some time. I wanted to sign him at the start of last season. 

“I kept track of him during the season and then he played against us in the final and was superb. I'm delighted he has chosen Erith Town as he had a lot of other offers.”

LORDSWOOD are looking for a physiotherapist to join its coaching staff. Candidates must be available every Saturday during the season for matchdays between 1.30pm and 5pm and be able to make at least one training session on a Tuesday or Thursday evening between 7.30pm and 9pm.

Anyone who is interested please contact Martin Telford on 07515 486 100.   Please mention that you read this piece on www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Martin Larkin is looking forward to the visit of his former club Ashford Town tomorrow.

Since being promoted from within the club into the management hot seat, Larkin has been enjoying himself as he and his newly assembled management team of Brad Sandeman and Greg Thurstans are gelling quite nicely.

“I'm enjoying the added responsibility,” Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.  “Brad and Greg are proving to be a great help. It was a bit weird watching Greg take the warm-up on Saturday, but it gives me the chance to step back and see the bigger picture.

“Brad, Greg and I have gelled well. We have the same ideas and are all hungry to do well here. Greg brings experience from the academy at Crystal Palace so he has very high standards. Nobody needs telling that Brad has been there and done it; so he brings great experience of how to deal with, and organise non-league teams.

This week’s preparations push on a gear with a visit from Steve Lovell’s Ashford Town at Culverden Stadium tomorrow.

“Ashford is where it all started for me, so I'm looking forward to it,” Larkin explained. 

“After this game we will probably look to choose our final squad, and then get a method of play imbedded into everyone.

“Ultimately, the plan is to have a very close-knit group who all know what is expected of each other, and who are enjoying their football. That environment should then help us to improve on last year,” he concluded.”

TONY BECKINGHAM, KEN THUROOD AND TONY PRIME
Tonight www.kentishfootball.co.uk published an article with Croydon chairman Mr Dickson Gill, with his personal opinion of his former management team of Tony Beckingham, Ken Thurgood and Tony Prime.  Mr Beckingham contacted this website on Saturday morning and insisted the claims made by Mr Gill were in fact incorrect and a personal attack on the trio.  This article was then removed and I (Stephen McCartney) would like to sincerely apologise to Messrs Beckingham, Thurgood and Prime for the article’s content.









 

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