Soccer Shorts: Herne Bay appoint Steve Lovell as manager on a two-year contract; Erith & Belvedere boss Matt Longhurst snaps up Jamie Coyle as his assistant, while Ashley Probets is Punjab United's new player-coach

Saturday 13th May 2023

Here are today’s Soccer Shorts articles with some summer transfer news.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC have offered new contracts to Michael Hector, Aaron Henry and Terell Thomas.

Macauley Bonne, Sean Clare, Alex Gilbey, Nathan Harness, Ryan Inniss and Albie Morgan will all leave the League One club following the expiration of their contracts this summer.

Chuks Aneke, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Tyreece Campbell, George Dobson, Mandela Egbo, Scott Fraser, Daniel Kanu, Miles Leaburn, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Zach Mitchell, Lucas Ness, Jack Payne and Joe Wollacott are under contract.

Michael Hector, Aaron Henry and Terell Thomas are all out of contract and remain in discussions with the club regarding their futures.

Richard Chin, Deji Elerewe, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Charlie Kirk, Sam Lavelle and Conor McGrandles are set to return to the club following loan spells during the 2022-23 season.

The following players will leave the club following the expiration of their loan deals; Todd Kane, Gavin Kilkenny, Matt Penney, Jes Rak-Sakyi and Steven Sessegnon.

Manager Dean Holden said in a statement: “Releasing a player is one of the hardest parts of being a football manager because I’ve got to know these guys really well in such a short space of time, however my job is to make these decisions in the best interests of the club in order to realise our ambitions next season.

“I’d like to thank the players who are set to leave the club for what they have given to Charlton over the years.

“Albie Morgan is an academy graduate who has played nearly 150 games for the first team and has been here a large part of his life after joining Charlton at the age of nine. We're really grateful for everything he has done for the football club in that time. His commitment to the club has been first class since I arrived.

“Ryan Inniss and Sean Clare have both embraced what being a Charlton player means, having contributed on the pitch and also winning the club’s PFA Community Champion award for the work they have done in our local community.

“Nathan Harness has been a consummate professional since I arrived and while Macauley Bonne and Alex Gilbey have had their ups and downs at Charlton, we respect what they have contributed to the club.

“We thank everyone leaving for their hard work and wish them and their families the best for the future."

Meanwhile, The club has taken up the option to extend the contracts of under 21 players Richard Chin, Matthew Dench, Tolu Ladapo, Jacob Roddy, Jeremy Santos, Seydil Toure and Ryan Viggars.

Charlton Athletic have offered a contract to Nazir Bakrin.

The club has not taken up the option to extend the contracts of Billy French, Nathan Harvey and Mack Reilly.

The following players will leave the club following the expiration of their contracts, Charlie Barker, Dylan Gavin, Harris O’Connor and Sam Oguntayo.

EBBSFLEET UNITED manager Dennis Kutrieb has confirmed that Alex Finney, Sido Jombati, Kieran Monlouis and Elliot Romain will be leaving the Vanarama National League South champions this summer.

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Matt Longhurst has appointed Jamie Coyle as his new assistant manager ahead of the club’s Isthmian League South East Division campaign. 

Coyle was Ramsgate’s player-manager for their last 18 games of last season and has brought centre-half Callum Emptage with him from the Kent coast.

The newly-promoted Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division champions retain goalkeeper coach Chris Tuley and first-team coach Sonny Gladwish, while David Joy leaves VCD Athletic to become the club’s new secretary.

ERITH TOWN manager Adam Woodward has confirmed that striker Steadman Callender has departed the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club after scoring 108 career goals for the club.

HERNE BAY have today appointed Steve Lovell as their new manager, signing a two-year contract at Winch's Field.

The 62-year-old Welshman has previouslty managed Sittingbourne (twice), Gravesend & Northfleet, Hastings United, Ashford Town, Gillingham, Welling United and Ramsgate.

Lovell will be assisted by his son Mark, the two shared the same roles at Ramsgate last season before their departure in January.

Herne Bay will be playing in the Isthmian League South East Division next season after the club's maiden campaign in the Premier Division ended in relegation.

The Lovell's replace Kevin Watson, who left Winch's Field at the end of the season and has since replaced Tommy Warrilow at Ashford United.

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager George Elokobi has released 11 players after suffering relegation from the Vanarama National League.

James Alabi, Jerome Binnom-Williams, Regan Booty, Jack Cawley, Tom Hadler, Joan Luque, Mark Marshall, Yusuf Mersin, Dom Odusanya, Tushaun Walters and Henry Woods have departed the club this summer.

Meanwhile, six loanees have returned to their parent clubs.

MARGATE manager Reece Prestedge has confirmed the departure of left-back Taylor Fisher, who made 29 appearances for the Isthmian League Premier Division club last season.

PUNJAB UNITED manager Chipie Sian has given defender Ashley Probets a player-coach role at the Gravesend based Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division outfit.

Meanwhile, teenager Leo Makatta has left the club to join Colchester United’s Academy.

RAMSGATE newly-appointed manager Ben Smith has re-signed Tijan Jadama on a new one-year contract, having scored 14 goals for the Isthmian League South East Division runners-up last season.

The Rams have snapped up former Dover Athletic winger Alfie Paxman, 25, and he will be joined with his brother Jack, who has been retained by the club.

Smith has returned to his former club (Herne Bay) to sign centre-half Daniel Johnson, 27.

SHEPPEY UNITED manager Jack Midson has retained left-back Frankie Morgan and contracted winger Danny Leonard ahead of the club’s second Isthmian League South East Division campaign.

SITTINGBOURNE manager Ryan Maxwell has retained 12-goal full-back Donvieve Jones, centre-half Joe Ellul, striker Mitchell May and Toch Singh ahead of next season’s Isthmian League South East Division campaign.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Jay Saunders has released left-back Craig Braham-Barrett, 34, who made 76 appearances for the club in two seasons after leaving Dartford.  Striker Louis Collins – who went out on loan to Isthmian League Premier Division pair Hastings United and Folkestone Invicta – has also been released, so has midfielder Devonte Aransiba.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Henly, holding midfielder Scott Wagstaff, midfielder Tommie Fagg, winger Joe Turner and striker Tommy Wood have all agreed deals to remain at the Vanarama National League South club next season.

WELLING UNITED manager Warren Feeney has confirmed that left-back Chi Ezennolim, 21, has departed Park View Road.

The Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season has informed the Vanarama National League South club that he wishes to depart in search of opportunities at a higher level.

More to follow later...