Soccer Shorts: Stones dealt ground funding blow

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WELLING UNITED have made two new loan signings from two Blue Square Premier clubs. Grays Athletic, who unveiled that they’re suffering with financial problems, have allowed left-back, Adam Gross come to Park View Road, as has Stevenage Borough striker, Jerome Anderson.

Both players have joined the Kent Blue Square South club on one-month loan deals and are available for the home game against Weston-super-Mare tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Craig Braham-Barrett has completed a £10,000 transfer to Coca-Cola League One outfit Peterborough United.

When the defender signed for the Wings, his contracted included a clause that if an offer of £10,000 was maded for the player then he would be allowed to move on.

Ryan Martin, Sol Pinnock and Chris Nurse have all left the club this week.

BROMLEY have signed former Crystal Palace winger Ashley-Paul Robinson.

Robinson joined Palace at 14 and made six substitute appearances for the Eagles before being released controversially in the summer.

The 19-year-old was let go by the Championship club after revealing on his social networking site that he had a trial at Fulham.

Robinson had been offered a contract by Palace at the time.

Meanwhile, Bromley’s home Kent Senior Cup tie against Dartford will take place on Tuesday, 4^th November (7:45pm).

MAIDSTONE UNITED chairman Mr Paul Bowden-Brown has welcomed the support he’s received since making an announcement about the new ground earlier this week.

He told www.bringingfootballhome.co.uk :“I’m pleased that despite this setback the vast majority of supporters have been understanding and continue to back me to bring the club home.

“As I stated some 17 years ago, I will bring the Stones home. Within the next month I will hopefully be in a position to publicly advise what we intend to build after I’ve spoken to my fellow directors and advisors.

“I believe that if I can plan and build a stadium to the required criteria of the league, we can be home within the current timetables.

“I have been advised of the enthusiasm there is to support our ‘do it yourself’ stadium. I am really heartened by this and there will be plenty of help needed along the way.

“Once I’ve got everything in place, I will invite all those interested in supporting the club’s homecoming to a meeting where I’ll outline our plans and how people get involved.”

The Stones’ hopes of returning to the town from Sittingbourne received another blow after they failed to secure funding for their new ground.

The Ryman Premier club wanted £1.2m from the Football Association and the Football Foundation to help develop the proposed site at James Whatman Way.

They have now been advised to apply for a stadium improvement grant - which will provide a maximum of £150,000.

But chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said he thinks they will be back home by 2010.

He told BBC Radio Kent he now hopes to get the project off the ground with the grant and help from his main investor Oliver Ash, who is the managing director of a French real estate and investment company.

"It will be a much reduced standard, it won't be third-rate, it'll be what you call do-it-yourself," he said.

"It will be done professionally and it will meet all the criteria that's required.

"I'm sure and I hope the supporters will support me because the main thing they want to do is start playing football in Maidstone."

Planning permission for the development on the outskirts of Maidstone town centre was granted in November 2004.

And Bowden-Brown added: "It's very difficult when you see Dartford with their fantastic ground... and you see Canterbury City Council giving a million to Canterbury City Football Club.

"Without Maidstone Borough Council lending us the money to buy the lease we wouldn't be where we are.

"I just can't understand why we don't get more support - not just for the football club, but for sporting things in the area.

"After all we're the county town of Maidstone."

MARGATE Independent Supporters’ Association would like to remind supporters of their show at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night gets underway at 8pm.

Lord Phil Royle and the Rockin’ Royals plus support acts are supporting the troubled Ryman Premier League club.

Admission is £10 and tickets are available from the Theatre Royal box office on 0845 130 1786 or 01227 787 787.

Whether you like a bit of rock'n'roll, singing along to old favourites or wish to be transported back to a 'glitz and glamour Las Vegas performance by Elvis' it will all be there!

The Rockin' Royles, Wicked Chicken and Dave Underwood are helping the football club by appearing for nothing. You can make their kind gesture financially worthwhile for the club by buying tickets.

BECKENHAM TOWN have found a replacement for coach Dave Mehmet. The experienced and highly respected Dennis Abboh, whose last Kent League club was Erith Town, under Mark Tompkins, has replaced Mehmet, who is now Fisher Athletic’s new manager.

Beckenham, who make the short trip to play Tompkins’ side, Croydon tomorrow, have settled their search for a goalkeeper by signing Michael Holder from VCD Athletic.

Stocky stopper Holder signed for the Crayford based side in pre-season from Greenwich Borough, but this week has opted to sign for Jason Huntley at Eden Park Avenue.

Meanwhile, Beckenham’s home Surrey Senior Cup second round tie against Ryman One South outfit Metropolitan Police shall take place on Tuesday, 25^th November.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Mike Robbins has confirmed the return of left-back, Jason Barton, from Sussex County League side Redhill.

Barton initially left his home-town club to become a part of a successful Maidstone United outfit, who he skippered to the Kent League title, and through Ryman League Division One, and Robbins expects his mentality, experience and fitness to be huge benefit to his side.

Central defender, James Holder, 23, has signed for the club, having previously played for Erith & Belvedere and Ryman One South outfit, Chatham Town.

In linking up at Culverden Stadium, Holder renews his acquaintances with striker, Ross Cable. The pair previously played at Faversham Town together, where Holder skippered the side.

Six foot five tall Holder has been signed in time to feature in tomorrow’s Kent League home clash against Erith Town.

Giant defender, Ben Hilden, meanwhile, has left the club after five years to sign for a manager who gave him his Kent League chance.

Kevin Metcalf, who was installed as Lordswood’s new manager last Monday, plucked Hilden out of the Maidstone League to sign for Tunbridge Wells.

And Robbins, speaking to www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk, said: “Ben Hilden has joined Lordswood where he links up with Kevin Metcalf and Martin Telford.

“He goes completely with my blessing. He spoke to me two weeks back to discuss his next move, and it was clear what he needed was to be playing regular football again.

“Ben is a fantastic lad, who has been with the club for several years, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I wish him the very best for the future.

Benji Agana, who linked up with the Wells during the summer, is expected to sign for local neighbours, Sevenoaks Town, whilst Matt Foreman has departed to sign for Ryman One South strugglers, Crowborough Athletic.

Visit the following websites:

www.wellingunited.com

www.bromleyfc.net

www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

www.margate-fc.com

www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/kent