Kentish Football

Faversham unveil four new signings to strengthen squad

Wednesday 20th May 2009
FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Justin Luchford has unveiled four high profile new signings tonight as he strengthens his squad for next season, writes Stephen McCartney.


WELCOME ABOARD:  Faversham Town manager Justin Luchford (third from left) welcomes Dale Skelton, James Gregory, Michael "Buster" Smissen and Rob French to Salters Lane.
Photograph courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk 

Goalkeeper Rob French, 19, has signed for his home-town club, having left troubled Blue Square Premier club Ebbsfleet United, where he was third choice last season behind Lance Cronin and Sam Mott.

Reports have revealed Fleet boss Liam Daish will be working with a budget of £4,000 (after tax) next season and French has joined midfielder Danny Slatter (who has signed for Ryman Premier League side Billericay Town) out of the Stonebridge Road exit this week.

The versatile James Gregory, 27, arrives from Margate, a side who will know whether or not they will be relegated from the Ryman Premier League - or not - until next Tuesday.

And midfielder Dale Skelton, 25, and striker Michael "Buster" Smissen, 25, arrive from Kent League rivals Hythe Town, which will be a big blow to their new manager Scott Porter.

"Today marks the start of a very exciting season ahead for Faversham Town Football Club," confirmed Luchford, when speaking to www.favershamtownfc.co.uk. 

"As I said at the end of the season, everyone has confirmed that they will be staying for next year out of the current squad, which is great news.

"But I wanted to strengthen in a few areas going into the new campaign."

With Kevin Readings leaving the club last season due to personal reasons, the arrival of Faversham based French will provide stiff opposition for Rob Hudson.

"Rob is a Faversham lad and so the club is no stranger to him," said Luchford.  "Rob spent four years at Whitstable Town learning his trade before he was picked up by Ebbsfleet United in 2006, where he has spent the last three years.

"Rob went back to Whitstable to play on loan and help them clinch the Kent League premier under previous manager Marc Seager.

"Rob has spent three years at the Conference club and has also been out on loan to a number of Ryman Premier clubs as well.

"This is a big signing for us, and at 19 years of age it just shows what we are about as a club in bringing in the youth, and in this case bringing a home grown player back to his roots.

"This gives Rob a chance to settle and fight for a first team shirt with the other two lads and is something Scott (Davenport, the goalkeeping coach) is looking forward to working with."

But it's the signing of star-striker Smissen from rivals Hythe Town that stands out the most, and Luchford has high hopes for the striker, who endured a tough injury hit campaign last term.

"I am hoping (he) will light up Salters Lane in the coming season," he said.  "I have been told today that others think he is past his best.  To them I say this, at 24 years of age how on earth can you be past your best?

"He holds the record of goals scored in the Kent Premier League in the shortest space of time.  He was out for most of last season after a successful operation, but still managed to come off the bench towards the end of the season and bag a few goals.

"Buster has turned down a number of clubs to join us and for that I am very thankful.  He turns his focus now on getting himself back to full fitness and with our physios and fitness staff he will be more than ready come the pre-season games.

"It is a massive signing for the club, and probably gives us the most potent strike force in the league, if we are firing on all cylinders."

Former Hythe assistant Luchford has also raided his former club for Skelton's services.

"Dale arrives after a few seasons at Hythe Town under my good friend Paul Fisk, with lots of experience and also the added bonus of already working with Clive (Walker) back in his Dover days together with Buster," said Luchford.

"At the same time, Shane Hamshare, Tom Hickman amongst others worked together under the Dover umbrella and I'm sure they will all be looking forward to working with each other once again.

"Dale will give us a little more stability in the middle, although versatile, he can put his foot on the ball and will give us a little more time in certain situations.  I am very much looking forward to working with him."

Gregory, the club's oldest summer signing so far, started 29 games for Ryman Premier League side Margate last season, collecting three player-of-the-month awards in the process, playing for Welsh legend Terry Yorath.

And it's his experience with winning titles that has promoted Luchford to bring him to Salters Lane.

"James has won the Kent League and the Ryman South with Ramsgate and also played in the Hythe Town team that were narrowly pipped two season's ago," he said.

"James will give us that little extra experience that we need all over the pitch.

"James can play in a number of positions, but being left-footed, gives him an edge on others.  I have watched James for a number of years and was someone I always wanted to bring in and to get him from a Ryman Premier club was tough, but I think and hopefully he will agree with me that he has made the right decision."

Expectations will be even higher at Faversham Town next season, especially with these four players on board.

And Luchford agreed, saying, "It is a great night for the club and it gives us something to look forward to.  As I have said since I have been here, every year I want to improve.

"Next year is no different.  We finished with 61 points and next year we will work to better that.  In addition, I would also like to go one better in a cup and give something back to the fans as they deserve a cup final."

Quotes and photograph courtesy of Tony Gray -  www.favershamtownfc.co.uk








 

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