Larkin unveils four new signings - Huntley rues loss of Gorman brothers'

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Martin Larkin has announced the signing of four players  - including plenty of firepower to replace the gap left by Keelan Mooney and Jon Pilbeam.


Mooney and Pilbeam have left in the summer to sample Ryman League football with Whitstable Town and Chatham Town.
Defender Gary Clarke has returned to the club, while central midfielder Joe Risby and two additional strikers - Andy Irvine and Nick Nowotny - have also joined.

Clarke will need few introductions to the Culverden faithful returning to the club after a stint playing further up the football pyramid, notably with Ashford Town.

“Gary was our number one target, and brings exceptional Ryman league experience and a winning mentality,” Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.  

 “Gary has settled straight back in with the squad and is a welcome addition.”

Giant target man Irvine joins the club from fellow Kent League side Woodstock Sports (formerly Norton Sports) where the 25-year-old bagged 10 goals from 33 appearances last year.

Nowotny hit 14 league goals in 16 games for Maidstone United’s reserves last season, while Risby was playing in Corinthian’s midfield.

“Andy Irvine was one of our primary targets and will lead the line giving us a different option,” Larkin added. “He is the only player I have come across in the last two years who has given Perry Spackman problems with his physical strength.

“His father played for The Wells during his playing days, so we are expecting Andy to become a crowd favourite.

“I have also brought Nick Nowotny in as a direct replacement for Keelan Mooney. We have been monitoring him for the last 12 months and he brings pace and power to the front-line. He has genuine confidence in the box.

“Joe Risby, meanwhile, is a left footed central midfielder and will offer balance and competition for Tom Davey,” Larkin explained, adding that he hoped to bring in one more major signing before the season kicks off on August 13^th.

As well as his four new signings, Larkin has re-signed the following players for the new season; Steve Ashmore, Jason Bourne, Andy Boyle, Carl Cornell, Michal Czanner, Tom Davey, Callum Hampson, Jack Harris, Andy McMath, Sam Phillips, Alex Rich, Perry Spackman, Rob Wells, Scott Whibley and Ben Williamson.

Meanwhile, the draws for the opening rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase has been announced.

In the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, the Wells will host Combined Counties League Division One outfit Warlingham on Saturday, 20 August. 

The winner will then travel to Ryman League Division One South side Walton & Hersham on Saturday 3 September, with an away game for the winner at Merstham, Molesey or Egham Town in the First Qualifying Round.

The FA Vase was a source for plenty of excitement last season with goals aplenty flying in en route to the Third Round Proper at Leverstock Green.

This year the Wells begin in the First Qualifying Round at fellow Kent League side Erith & Belvedere on Saturday 10 September.

The winner will be at home to Mile Oak of the Sussex County League two weeks later.

Any potential First Round Proper match would see the Wells travel to the winner of Erith & Dartford Town (the Kent Invicta League club now managed by former Sittingbourne boss Gary Abbott), Seaford (Sussex County) or Cobham (Combined Counties League) on Saturday 22 October.
 
"I'm happy to be at home for the FA Cup game, and it's nice to have a trip to a Ryman League club to play for," remarked Larkin.

"We will need to do our homework on Warlingham - I know very little about them.”

The Surrey side have signed former Holmesdale right-back, Christos Nicoli, who had time away from the game through work commitments.

"The Vase draw is disappointing, but only because we are playing another Kent League team. The best thing about the FA Competitions is playing teams outside your league, but we will go to Erith & Belvedere knowing they didn't beat us last year in either game."

Elsewhere, Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley was fulsome in his praise for Chatham Town bound central defender Chris Hill and the twins Gary and Danny Gorman – all of whom have decided not to re-sign for the club.

“I’m really sorry to lose the lads, they’ve been great to have around the place and have played a major part in the club,” Huntley told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.  

“They will be difficult to replace but all of us at Beckenham Town wish them the very best for the future.”

Articles courtesy of www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk  & www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk