Soccer Shorts: We have a great chance of doing well next season, says Bromley's third signing Sean Francis

BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg has made his third summer signing today as he prepares for life in the Vanarama National League.

Commanding central defender, Sean Francis, 24, arrives at Hayes Lane after spending one season with league rivals Dover Athletic.



WELCOME: Bromley chairman Jerry Dolke welcomes defender Sean Francis (left) to Hayes Lane.
Photo: Bromley FC

Francis had signed a one-year contract with Dover Athletic after impressing boss Chris Kinnear during a trial at Crabble last July.

Earlier, Francis spent nearly three years at Bishop’s Stortford, making over 100 appearances in Conference North and South, having joined from Braintree Town in October 2011.  He has also had loan spells with Aveley and Billericay Town.

Francis told www.bromleyfc.net: “I’m delighted to have singed for Bromley. It will be a new challenge, but I know some of the players already.

“We have a strong squad and we have a great chance of doing well next season.

“I was impressed with the manager and the vision of the future and I’m looking forward to the new season.”

Goldberg, who guided the Hayes Lane outfit to their first title for 54 years’ when his side claimed the Vanarama Conference South title last month, added: “I’m delighted to have signed Sean to provide the much needed National League experience and leadership skills to support our existing defensive core.”

Francis will add competition to a central defensive partnership of Rob Swaine and double player-of-the-year Jack Holland.

Francis made 24 appearances for a Dover Athletic side that finished last season’s Vanarama Conference campaign in eighth-place.

Bromley’s first summer arrivals were Lee Minshull, 29, and Max Porter, 27, who signed for the Kent club following their release from League Two side Newport County.

Goldberg now has seventeen players signed for next season, but fans’ favourite Danny Waldren’s future at the club hangs in the balance as he is not included in the retained list.

EBBSFLEET UNITED have bolstered their midfield after agreeing terms and an undisclosed fee with league rivals Hemel Hempstead Town for club captain Jordan Parkes, 25, who scored 20 league goals for his home-town club in their inaugural campaign at that level.

Parkes scooped all three player-of-the-year awards for the Tudors last season.

While at Watford, he earned international honours with England under 18s, 19’s and playing for the under 20 side in the 2009 World Cup.

MAIDSTONE UNITED have tied down striker Frannie Collin, 28, to a new contract.

The former Tonbridge Angels striker scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Ryman Premier League champions last season.  The club will be playing Vanarama National League South football for the first time in August.

MARGATE boss Terry Brown has released his eighth player since gaining promotion into the Vanarama National League South.

The Hartsdown Park outfit won promotion alongside Maidstone United after beating Dulwich Hamlet and Hendon in the play-offs after finishing in third-place in the Ryman Premier League.

Midfielder Ryan James, 25, has been released by Brown, despite only arriving at the Kent coast club at the end of February from league rivals Metropolitan Police.

WELLING UNITED boss Loui Fazakerley has continued his summer signings by bringing in a new midfielder with Football League experience.

Ricky Wellard, 27, has put pen to paper on a contract this morning, after arriving from Vanarama National League South side Sutton United.

The Vanarama National League side confirmed that they have secured the services of goalkeeper Michael McEntegart and left-sided player Reece Harris.

But central defender Chris Bush, 22, has signed for league rivals Lincoln City.