THE BIG KICK OFF: Former Margate defender Edwards signs for Dockers - EXCLUSIVE

Erith Town manager Mark Tompkins has used his playing budget wisely, to bring in some experienced players to the club, including former Margate defender, Bill Edwards, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tompkins has made ELEVEN summer signings, the biggest of which, is the return to football for Edwards, who played for Margate during the Chris Kinnear era at Hartsdown Park.

Edwards hasn’t played for the Thanet side since Kinnear departed over a year ago, but Tompkins is delighted to have enticed Edwards out of retirement.

“I think he played in the Conference for about six or seven seasons, and then he gave it a rest because of the travelling,” Tomkins said, in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He’s a mate of mine as I played with him at Tooting & Mitcham United - I can’t see many better centre halves in the Kent League than Bill.”

Explaining why he’s brought Edwards to the Erith Sports Stadium, Tompkins, said: “His experience, his talking, his positional sense.”

The Dockers have made a budget available for “players expenses” this season, something that they haven’t had before.

“It’s not massive but enough to give players something, rather than nothing,” said Tompkins.

“Last season we turned it around on nothing, and this season we have a little bit of a budget, mainly expenses for players.”

He added: “The ones I’ve signed are experienced players. They look to win games, not just to play a game of football.”

Tompkins has also signed James Holder, the former Faversham Town central defender, from Ryman League side, Chatham Town.

Tompkins said: “I think he scored a few goals for Chatham last year, helped them stay up.

“Solid defender, we leaked too many goals last year. With him and Billy, it’s a nice strong two.”

Central midfielder, Jason Mabbs, arrives from another Ryman League Division One South club, Croydon Athletic.

“He can play centre midfield or wide right, I’m going to play him wide right,” revealed Tompkins.

“He’s good on the ball, keeps it well, and not a bad defender, when needed.”

Midfielder, Adam Heaslewood, however, needs no introduction, having played for Cray Wanderers and Beckenham Town and was the player-assistant manager at Kent League side Slade Green last season.

“Again, he gives me that balance on the left,” Tompkins said.

Striker Anthony Pace, whose signed from Faversham Town, is “a lively centre forward, who nicks a goal every now and then.”

Tompkins is also delighted to unveil the signing of striker, Paul Scott, from Ryman Premier League giants, AFC Wimbledon.

“He’s been about,” admitted Tompkins. “Played for Tooting, AFC Wimbledon, he’s very quick, very skilful, good in the air and also scores goals - another good signing.”

Central midfielder, Graham Knight, impressed Tompkins when the pair were team-mates together at Banstead Athletic.

“Banstead, that’s where I played with him,” he recalled. “He wins the ball, gives it nice and easy and come up with a goal - a battler.

Right-back, Charlie Burgess has been promoted from the youth team, and Tompkins has high hopes for him.

On his attributes, Tompkins said: “Potential, loads of energy, good recovery and a young boy whose willing to learn his trade.”

Tompkins also revealed that goalkeeper Tony Diment, another player signed from Faversham Town, is expected to be understudy to last season’s stopper, Nick Wilson.

“They will be fighting for number one,” said Tompkins. “The reason? I only just got hold of him about a week and a half now.

Tompkins also unveiled that experienced striker, Micky Collins has been named player assistant-manager.

He said: “Micky’s come over as a player-assistant, with John Wilfort. Again, he’s lively and scores goals - loads of experience.”

And the Dockers will have some Portuguese flair on the left-wing, as Roland Dou has arrived from Portugal second divison side, Armes FC.

“He just turned up for training at the second session,” said Tompkins. “I had a look at him and he got better and better with every session. He’s strong and direct.

With so many players coming in, Tompkins has released many players, including Scott Edwards, Jamie Lover, Darren Nash, Kris Hollidge, Mark Hynes, Ryan Hackett and Ashley Douglas, but he’s relishing Saturday’s opener at Faversham Town, again, another new-look side.

“I went to watch them against Whitstable, much improve from last year, I must say,” said Tompkins.

“It will be a tough game, a tough opening game. I expect them to be there or there abouts this year.”

And on his side’s aspirations for the new campaign, Tompkins added: “The best the club has ever done is finish seventh, so anything better than seventh - and a good cup run.

Tompkins did sign Danny Beszant, the former Beckenham Town and Erith & Belvedere midfielder, but opted to release him.

He explained: “I had him but I’ve released him. It didn’t work out. I’m going for a bit of strength in the team and he was a bit of a flair player, but I’ve already got flair players - a good player but I couldn’t fit him in.”

Faversham Town manager, Paul Copley, is relishing welcoming the new-look Dockers to Salters Lane.

“We have a fully fit squad to pick from,” he said EXLCUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Striker, Ian Pulman and Wes Hammond have shaken off knocks and Dave Read has returned from holiday.

“It should be an interesting encounter as Mark Tompkins seems to have been as busy as me in signing players.”

And Copley looks forward to welcoming Holder back to Salters Lane, saying: "We are looking forward to welcoming back former Lilywhites skipper, James Holder."

Visit club websites:

www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

www.erithtownfootballclub.co.uk

Faversham Town v Erith Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 11^th August 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham