Tilley suffers third bad break - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Chatham Town manager Phil Miles has revealed he is hoping to sign centre half Rob Goodyear from Herne Bay after tomorrow night’s pre-season friendly against Margate, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goodyear played for the Kent League side against Miles’ men last week, in a game the Ryman League Division One South newcomers won 3-0.

“He’s a local lad, comes from Chatham and played against us last week,” Miles revealed in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk  

“He looks a useful centre half, very strong, athletic, two good feet, so I’m hoping he’s going to play against Margate and I’ll talk to him after the game and hopefully he will sign.”

If he does, he will join new signings Ian Pulman (from Ramsgate), and highly-rated goalkeeper John Whitehouse, 29, from Kent Leaguers Tunbridge Wells.

Pulman will be playing against one of his former clubs tomorrow night, having recovered from a tight calf.

“Obviously Ian Pulman is a good signing for us, I’m really pleased with that,” said Miles. “He gives us more of an attacking option and competition up front.

“I’m pleased with John Whitehouse signing for us. He’s going to be a big player for us this year.”

But spare a thought for left-sided winger Garry Tilley. The 25-year-old fought his way back to fitness after breaking his leg twice, but having played against Ramsgate and Herne Bay he suffered more agony, with a clean break at Thamesmead Town at the weekend.

“I said to the papers last week that Garry was our best player, he got forward, got back, tackled and his work-rate was phenomenal for somebody whose just go back from two broken legs,” recalled Miles.

“But unfortunately, at Thamesmead, there was nothing in a tackle, Garry laid the ball off, but the guy caught him above the ankle - and a clean break.”

Players and officials at the Maidstone Road club will be doing all they can to support the 25-year-old, who has two young kids and a mortgage to pay.

“He’s dejected at the moment,” revealed Miles. “He’s got two young kids, mortgage and I think he’s going to call it a day now. He can’t carry on with the way things are going.

“I visited him in hospital yesterday, they plastered it this morning and he’s back at home now.

“He will be in plaster for eight weeks, he won’t be able to work. He’s a carpet fitter and has two weeks holiday, which he is taking now.

“I’ve spoken to the chairman and the players will do a whip round for him to try to raise some money that way.

“The chairman says there will be an event that the club will put together to make it easier at home.

“I’m gutted for him personally. It was like having a new player back and I’m disappointed that’s he’s unable to play - it’s a shame.”

Despite Tilley’s bad-luck with his third broken leg, Miles was pleased that his side defeated much-fancied Kent League side Thamesmead Town by four goals to nil on Saturday.

A hat-trick from Luke Harvey has taken his tally to five goals from two games and Tom Binks scored a rare goal - but it was worth the wait!

“Very pleased with the victory and the performance,” praised Miles. “We worked really hard, played some good football and we scored two good goals.”

Binks’ volleyed a shot into the top corner and Miles admitted: “Tom doesn’t score to many goals! I’m tying to re-invent Tommy, I want him to get forward a bit more this year so hopefully that sets him in good stead for the season.

“Thamesmead, in their defence, have played seven games in 14 days, so I don’t want to take anything away from the way we played.

“We started the game well, they didn’t get near us in the first five minutes and we totally dominated them in the first half - and we also missed a first half penalty!

Miles’ side play another Ryman Premier League side on Saturday, when they travel to Tonbridge Angels.

He will, however, be without Steve Best, Jim Lyons and former Angel, Steve Searle, who are on holiday, and Andy Boyle (wedding) and Mark Brooks (stag weekend).

“We played a couple of Kent League sides and now three teams from the Ryman Premier League (the other game being against Folkestone Invicta).

“This is the way I would have liked it because this is the test I need to see how players perform and react against better and bigger sides than us.

“The next thee games will give me a good indication on how well we’re playing, fitness levels etc, and we’ve got two weeks before the season starts when we fine tune the team.”

The Medway outfit start their Ryman League Division One South campaign against Croydon Athletic at Maidstone Road on 19^th August.

They also host Kent rivals Maidstone United and Dover Athletic at home in the first month of the season, so Miles knows it’s important to get off to a winning start.

“When I first saw the fixtures I thought it was a tough start but looking at Croydon Athletic I think they’ll be very similar to us,” said Miles.

“Not jumping the gun but Croydon Athletic, Corinthian Casuals (away, 22^nd August) and Godalming Town (away, 26^th August) are the sort of teams that we’re looking to beat.

“I’m hoping to get off to a good start because we’ve got Maidstone (28^th August) and Dover and it will be nice to have points on the board before we play them.

“I feel a good start to any campaign is vital.”

* If there are any Kent football supporters that are willing to assist Garry Tilley and his family, please click on the “Contact us” button on the home page.

I’m sure they’ll be extremely grateful for any donations.

Chatham Town v Margate
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 1^st August 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Maidstone Road, Chatham