Hume hails Hawkins' loan signing

The Stones have action amidst their current crisis at the heart of their defence, having snapped up the 30-year-old defender on a month’s loan from Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United.

Hawkins was an unused substitute in Fleet’s flattering 2-1 home win over Stalybridge Celtic in the second round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy in midweek, and was one of the Fleet Wembley heroes that won the competition at Wembley Stadium last May.

Before arriving at Stonebridge Road in March 2006, Hawkins, who is two games short of his 100th appearance for the Fleet, came through the Wimbledon youth ranks and signed professional terms in 1996 at the age of seventeen.

He spent a few months on loan at York City in 1999-2000, before breaking into the Wimbledon first team in 2000. He went on to make 130 appearances for the Dons, before and after they moved to Milton Keynes, scoring just one goal.

However, injury cost him his place at MK Dons in 2003-04 and he moved to Rushden & Diamonds in time for the new season, making a total of 70 appearances before leaving Nene Park by mutual consent in March 2006, arriving at Stonebridge Road just a week later.

Predominately a left-back throughout his career, the six-footer is tremendously adaptable and can also play on the right or in the centre if required - where he has played for a number of times for the Fleet.

With Maidstone United’s two only recognised centre halves, Ian Cox (work commitments) and Ben Lewis (suspended) unavailable for tomorrow’s trip to Longmead Stadium, the Stones are delighted to have snapped up the experienced Hawkins on a month’s loan.

Joint Stones boss Lloyd Hume, unveiling the loan signing to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this afternoon, says he will sit down with fellow boss Alan Walker to decide who will partner Hawkins at the heart of defence for tomorrow’s mouth-watering Ryman Premier League showdown at Tonbridge Angels.

A crowd of over 1,000 passion-filled fans are expected at Longmead Stadium tomorrow, and Hume says Hawkins is a coup.

“He’s got a huge amount of experience,” he said. “He’s never played in a lower standard than the Conference.

“He can play centre half or full back, on either side, and we’re desperate for a centre half, stroke full-back, because of Ian Cox’s inability to commit to football at the moment because of his new job - and we don’t blame Ian for that.”

When asked who will partner the new man tomorrow, Hume replied, “We’re not sure yet, we’ve got a couple of different options and we’re looking at that.

“Peter will bring a wealth of experience; had we not got him this week, tomorrow would have been a very difficult game.

“It’s a huge signing and it’s one we’ve been chasing for three or four weeks, if I’m honest. We’ve kept it quiet, I spoke to somebody off the record about him and we didn’t mention his name to anyone as I didn’t want anyone else aware that he was available.

“He wasn’t really, but we’ve badgered (Ebbsfleet United boss) Liam Daish to death about him - but in the end he’s buckled.

“Peter was not going to be offered a new contract next year, he’s a local lad now, he was going to move out of the area.

“It’s a month loan, we’ll be hoping to get that done on a permanent deal further down the line, but that remains to be seen.”

Striker Meshach Nugent, meanwhile, has returned to the club, following a successful loan spell at Ryman League Division One South outfit Croydon Athletic.

“He’s very much in our plans,” insisted Hume. “We didn’t want to let him go, but the reality was we had three strikers and three centre halves, because of our budget restraints we can only keep two.

“We didn’t want to lose him and we had lots of offers for him, including Dover who wanted him, but we didn’t want to let him go.

“Because of our relationship with (Rams' management team) Tim O’Shea and Neil Smith, who we know very well, we let him go there to relieve our wage bill until we sorted other things out.

“They were desperate to keep him; he done very well with them, but we are really delighted to have him back.”

The Stones make the fourteen mile trip to Tonbridge tomorrow - some walking, some driving and some catching public transport - and Hume is relishing walking out at one of his former clubs.

“I had an old affiliation with Tonbridge, there’s always a good crowd down there, and I always get a reception down there, one way or another, so does Alan (Walker),” he said.

“I’m sure tomorrow will be no different, there’s some local rivalry. Tonbridge is the nearest game, we hope supporters’ have friendly banter between each other - so it will make for a good day hopefully.”

The Angels completed a smash-and-grab raid when the two sides met at Bourne Park back on a windy day in September, courtesy of Jamie Cade converting Tommy Warrilow’s side’s one and only shot on target inside injury time.

“They weren’t deserved winners and they were the first to admit that,” recalled Hume. “They had one shot on target and their keeper (Lee Worgan) was the best player on the pitch that day.

“But they are a different side from the start of the season. I think they’re full of confidence, they’re doing very well and Tom’s got them playing well, so it will be a tough test and we’ve got a few players missing.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk

Visit Maidstone United’s websites: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk & www.smtwtgh.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Maidstone United
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 17^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW