Soccer Shorts: Joe Taylor leaves Sittingbourne to sign for Farnborough

Saturday 14th June 2014
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GEORGE HOWARD’S friend Martin Di Fede has brought some great news concerning the 20-year-old goalkeeper.

“I’ve received the call we’ve all been waiting for – George has woken up,” he said.

“He’s a little goggy but is making good progress. 

“I’m unsure of his condition and state but know he is making good progress.”

At least four thousand pounds was raised last Sunday in George Howard’s Benefit Match which saw a Kent League XI, managed by Darren Anslow, defeat Micky Collins’ Kent Pro XI 5-3 at the Coldharbour Leisure Centre in Eltham.

DOVER ATHLETIC have unveiled the signing of versatile player Tyrone Sterling, 26, who arrives on a one-year contract after leaving Dartford.

Sterling was Chris Kinnear’s first signing in his second spell as manager of the club when he joined form Cray Wanderers in January 2013.

Sterling still works for the community team at the now Ryman League Division One North club.

Kinnear has tied down Craig Stone, 25, and striker Nathan Elder to new contracts as he prepares for life back in the top-flight of non-league football.

Stone is the club’s captain, while Elder scored the goal that defeated Ebbsfleet United in last season’s Skrill South play-off Final at Stonebridge Road on 10 May.

HERNE BAY Ladies’ promotion to the Premier Division of the South East Counties Womens Football League was confirmed at the League’s AGM.

They finished runners-up by just a single point in the regular season of Division One East, having beaten the champions both home and away.

Manager Anthony Deer said: “Happy days! It’s going to be a tough season but we are strengthening all the time.”

The side will be playing all their home games at Winch’s Field next season.  The season will start on Sunday, 31 August 2014.

The division will consist of Anchorians, Burgess Hill, Crockenhill, Dartford Royals, Eastbourne, Herne Bay, Long Lane, Meridian, Parkwood and South Park.

KENT FOOTBALL United manager Sam MacNeil has added former Lewisham Borough, Crockenhill and Eltham Palace coach Darrell Queeley to his backroom staff.

MAIDSTONE UNITED have confirmed that they have hosted an impressive 41 cup finals.

Those matches, which brought more than 10,000 spectators to the club, home of included the finals of the FA Disability Cup, Robert Dyas Cup, Kent Women’s Cup and Maidstone Primary League Cup.

The stadium was also the venue for several charity matches and tournaments including Football & Peace Day – an event to mark the Centenary of the First World War and the Maidstone Mini World Cup, which saw local primary schools represent this year’s finalists.

Chief executive Bill Willliams told
www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “so many people reminisce about playing at the old Athletic Ground and it’s great that a new generation can play their finals in Maidstone.

 “We hosted a few in our first year back but this year it’s snowballed and we’ve had enquiries from the Football Association, local leagues, schools and many more.

“It’s great there’s the facility here to host these matches and the 3G pitch has made it possible to hold as many as we have.”

Steve Taylor, the secretary of the Raka of Kent Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday League, added: “We’ve been playing our finals out of the town for a number of years and wanted to get back to Maidstone.

“The Gallagher Stadium is a fantastic venue and all of the players want to play there.  We’ve got our dates booked for next year and can’t wait to be back.”

If you like to host a match at Maidstone United, please contact John Harvey on 01622 753 817 or email jharvey@maidstoneunited.co.uk.

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins has unveiled his first signings for the club, bringing in former AFC Wimbledon, Bromley and Tonbridge Angels central defender Ben Judge, 37, from Ryman League Division One South side Hastings United, and winger Kieran McCann from Chatham Town.

SITTINGBOURNE striker Joe Taylor has confirmed that he has left the club to sign for Conference South club Farnborough.

The striker, who scored 27 goals for the Ryman League Division One South club last season, posted a statement on the Brickies’ Facebook page.

“I’ve decided to move on to Farnborough as I want to improve myself at the highest level possible and it’s a great opportunity for me,” penned Taylor.

“Big thanks to Matt (Wyatt) and Nick (Davis) for their constant support and also Jim & Danny (Ward) for their influence since I was a teenager.

“Everyone at Sittingbourne was excellent with me for the two seasons I played. Best of luck for the new season!”

Taylor’s strike partner Ryan Golding, who netted 20 goals last season, has already secured a move to league rivals Whitstable Town.

WHITSTABLE TOWN joint-managers Jim and Danny Ward have unveiled the signings of defenders Aaron James and Joe Kennett, who arrive from Margate and Herne Bay respectively.