Soccer Shorts: If we can stay up, then we will be doing really well, says Dover's Barry Cogan

Monday 21st July 2014
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BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer is delighted that their pre-season friendly against their Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace attracted a record crowd to Eden Park Avenue.

The Southern Counties East Football League club confirmed the attendance last Friday was 2,135.  The Eagles came away with a 4-1 victory, with Nathan Paul scoring for the home side.

“Don’t forget how much Palace and Becks work with each other that boosted the crowd,” said Mr Palmer.

“It was a good game though. When we changed the team around in the second half they took control. Before that we were the better side.”

BROMLEY welcome League One side Swindon Town to Hayes Lane on Saturday, looking to avenge their 7-0 defeat in The FA Cup First Round back in 1976.

Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, 23, last featured for Bromley on loan at the start of the 2010-11 season, where he conceded three goals as the Ravens went on to win their first five games in Conference South that campaign.

Saturday’s game will be the first of the club’s “Kids Go Free” initiative, where admission on the day will be free for all under 16s.  Adults pay £10, seniors £5.

CONEY HALL have unveiled the signing of former Cray Valley and Sutton Athletic winger Chris McGinty.

CRAY WANDERERS’ community scheme is running a summer sports camp for young people aged between 5 and 15.

Covering a range of multi-sports and activities, the emphasis behind the camp is to create a fun environment where young people can learn new skills and make new friends.  It is open to boys and girls.

Tyrone Sterling, the operations director for the community scheme at the Ryman League Division One North club said: “The scheme has been running successfully for five years, so it seemed now was the right time to host our first summer holiday camp.

“Included are activities such as arts and craft, dance, drama and cooking.  Sports available range from football, tennis, hockey and cricket to basketball, athletics and dodge ball.

“We’re holding a free taster day on Friday 25 July where young people can try out some of the activities on offer.”

The camp will operate from Monday to Friday across three venues in Mottingham, Sidcup and Orpington. Charges range from £8 for a half-day to £35.99 for a full week.

Full details on the camp and how to book can be found on the Community Scheme website http://craywandscs.com/.   

Alternatively you can email bookings@craycommunityhub.com or telephone 01689 637125.

Meanwhile, Cray Wanderers welcome their Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace to Hayes Lane, Bromley on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Eagles’ season ticket holders can watch the match for FREE.

DOVER ATHLETIC midfielder Barry Cogan has put pen to paper on a new contract last week.

The former Millwall midfielder, 29, told www.doverathletic.com: 'It was always going to happen. There was no big rush, I was just waiting for the time to get it sorted out.

“You want to play as high as you can really. It is another challenge and it is nice to travel to some big clubs and nice grounds and at this stage of my life, I may not get to play at that level again.

“You don't want to settle for one of the lower leagues, if you want to be a good player then you have to back yourself to play at the highest possible level you can and see how it goes.”

Cogan says survival in the Conference Premier will represent a successful first season for the club.

“If we can stay up, then we will be doing really well,” he said.

“We will push on and try and finish as high up the table as we can, but we have to be realistic.  It is a hard, tough league and there is a lot of travelling involved. We have a lot of young players who have not played at this level before and it will take them time to adjust. But I think we will be fine.”

Regardless of the season outcome, the Irishman is still looking forward to the season ahead.

“It will be good to see some big clubs coming down here. The likes of Torquay and Bristol Rovers will be good for the fans to see and it will be better football as you find going up the leagues. We will have to adjust to that and play better football if we want to compete.”

Saturday's 1-0 win over Ryman Premier League title favourites Margate made it four wins on the spin in pre- season.  However, Cogan does not want anyone to get carried away at this stage.

He said: “It's pre-season, so we don't read too much into results.  It is just about getting your fitness and sharpness back and getting used to the new players that have joined. Every game has been getting better and today was the best that we had played. We have some tough games like as Gillingham and Colchester to come which will be a good test.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have agreed a stadium naming rights agreement with their partners PHB Construction.

General manager Dave Archer told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “Mark Humphreys of PHB has been a great help to me since my arrival at Ebbsfleet United which is why I am even more pleased to be able to continue our commercial partnership with PHB Construction.

“Stadium naming rights are happening throughout league and non-league football and this is the next logical step in our moves to transform the club and its home, while still keeping the historic Stonebridge Road name in the title.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE have unveiled the signings of former Peterborough United midfielder Romone McCrae, 23, and Matt Arber, who played Kent County League Premier football for Erith 147 Sports last season.   


FOLKESTONE INVICTA have strengthened their board by the addition of Adrian Williams and Shaun Beattie of M3 Solutions Ltd, as full directors of the club.

M3 Solutions Ltd, who are based in Folkestone, were introduced to the Ryman League Division One South club last season by director of sales and marketing Cliff Egan.

Jim Pellatt, the club’s chief executive, told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “Since then the company have become good friends of Folkestone Invicta, helping us a great deal in recent times, as well as becoming our shirt sponsor.

“Adrian and Shaun bring not only a great deal of business experience to the board, but also their extensive contacts.

“Neil Pilcher, who is well known to everyone at the club for his tireless work over many years as club football secretary, is to become joint company secretary alongside myself, with a view to taking over that role completely in the longer term.

“Equally important is that our supporters who have stuck with us and helped so much for so many years remain close to the board and the board to them.