Soccer Shorts: Kent clubs start making early signings

Due to our build up to Ebbsfleet United’s BIG-DAY OUT at Wembley Stadium taking centre stage last week, we catch up with news from around Kent in tonight’s SOCCER SHORTS section.

BROMLEY are pleased to announce that Mark Goldberg has agreed to return as manager.

During Goldberg’s last spell in charge at Hayes Lane, which ended in December 2007, Bromley won promotion to the Blue Square South, retained the Kent Senior Cup and enjoyed a trip to Gillingham in the first round of the FA Cup.

“I am delighted that Mark has agreed to take up the reins once more,” owner Jerry Dolke told the club’s website www.bromleyfc.net.

“With all clubs now looking to make plans for next season it was crucial that we appointed a new manager as soon as possible.

“We need a degree of stability in order to be able to attract players of the quality required to do well in Blue Square South.”

Mr Dolke responded to claims in a Sunday newspaper that said Mr Goldberg would be involved with boardroom matters.

He said: “I would also like to take this opportunity to quash once and for all the rumours that have surfaced in the football press this weekend.

“Bromley Football Club is still up for sale and neither is Mark the new owner nor is he involved in any of the parties with which I have been holding discussions.

“He is returning to the role which he left, which is purely as first team manager.”

The club “hope to be in a position to reveal” Goldberg’s backroom staff shortly.

DOVER ATHLETIC have signed Ramsgate trio Olly Schulz, Dean Hill and Sam Jones, writes Justin Allen.

Highly-rated defenders Schulz and Hill strengthen Whites' back line, while left winger Jones will give the team more attacking options.

Schulz, a key player in Ramsgate's rise up the pyramid in recent years, will add further quality to Whites' defence.

Along with Craig Cloke and Laurence Ball, he will give us a strong pool of talent at centre back.

Hill, a former Dover reserve, returns to Crabble after nearly five years away at Sittingbourne, Ashford Town and Ramsgate. 

Hill established himself at left back for the Rams in the past three seasons and will compete with Sam Gore for the No3 shirt next season.

Winger Jones, 20, was playing local Sunday League football earlier this year when Ramsgate boss Jim Ward threw him into Ryman Premier Division football.

Jones repaid Ward with three goals and two man-of-the-match performances in the last five games of the season.

Jones, who is known for his ability to retain possession and skilful feet, caught the eye of Dover assistant manager Darren Hare.

Hare told www.doverathletic.com  seconds after the ink had dried on the contracts: "We're delighted to sign these three players, who are undoubtedly going to boost out squad for next season.

"Dean is a quality left-back and I've been impressed by Sam's performances for Ramsgate.

"And in Olly, Clokey and Laurence Ball, we have the very good, solid central defence that we hope to be one of the best in the Premier Division.

"We've decimated Ramsgate's team by signing these three, which is a shame for them. But that's football isn't it? We're thinking about ourselves and these three lads were all transfer targets - and they've agreed to come. We're delighted.

"Now we're looking at bringing in another three players. There are a couple we've offered deals to who have not decided yet - and then of course there will be trialists at the pre-season games, so I expect a quiet few weeks now on the transfer front."

Schulz jumped at the chance of signing for Dover Athletic when Andy Hessenthaler came knocking.

The highly-rated central defender, 22, raised his eyebrows, like most of the non-league football world, when Hessenthaler agreed to take over as Dover boss last May.

And Olly was so impressed with how he guided Whites to such an emphatic title win this season and the plans he has to take the club back to the Blue Square Premier it was a no-brainer to join when he became one of Hessenthaler’s top transfer targets.

He told www.doverathletic.com : "Hess has done a superb job and got a big reputation. Him and Darren Hare have very impressive managerial and coaching credentials and have big plans for the future. I want to be a part of that.

"I am an ambitious player and want to be at a higher level. As much as I loved my time at Ramsgate, and I made many friends there, Dover are a bigger club who are more equipped to climb the leagues. Hopefully they will be coming up the leagues with me. That really was the main reason why I've decided to come over to Dover. They match my ambitions.

"You only have to look around the ground to see that the set-up is in place. I spoke to the chairman Jim Parmenter and he told me about the club's plans - and how they're building a new clubhouse and stuff. Clearly the club are making progress off-the-pitch as well as on it."

Schulz played in the Rams' Ryman One title-winning side two years ago - and says the gap between the two levels is nothing to get worried about for the Whites.

Clearly a confident lad, he even states there are no strikers in the Premier Division that give him sleepless nights.

He said: "Only the Staines striker, Mark Nwokeji, has given me a few problems, but apart from that no-one scares me in the Premier Division. I am looking forward to the new season and improving my skills as a defender under Hess and Darren Hare.

"The professionalism is higher in the Premier, teams are better organised - but I think that is not going to be a problem for Dover.

"I am sure we'll be right up towards the top of the table competing for promotion. As far as I'm concerned, we're planning to build a side for the Conference - and I can't wait for the action to start."

Schulz is delighted to be joining along with Rams team-mates Hill and Jones.

He said: "It makes it easier when you know a couple of the lads already at a new club.

"I also know Clokey (Craig Cloke) from youth football and he's always been a good player. I've heard lots of good things about the keeper John Whitehouse and I know Laurence Ball from when he was at Ramsgate, so the defence is going to be good, I hope.

"The other players all sounds class too. I think we're going to be a strong side."

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has so far retained the services of eight of his championship winning squad ahead of the Princes Park club’s Ryman Premier League campaign next term.

Goalkeeper Tony Kessell, defenders Jamie Coyle, John Guest, Adam Flanagan and Steve Norman; midfielder Eddie McClements and Ryan Hayes have all signed and striker Brendon Cass is on contract until the end of next season.

But Cass’ strike partner Jay May is expected to sign for Yeovil Town, a side that’s just finished their League One campaign in 18^th place.

FOLLOWING much rumour and speculation, Maidstone United joint manager Alan Walker has announced nine players for next season's squad.

Defender Ian Cox joins from Gillingham. The former Trinidad and Tobago international was part of their 2006 World Cup squad. His previous clubs include Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Burnley and Carshalton Athletic.

Margate duo James Pinnock and Jay Saunders have put pen to paper. Pinnock has enjoyed his most prolific season, scoring 27 goals, and his known for his phenomenal workrate. He was voted Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year last season.

Saunders was part of the Margate side during their glory years in the Conference before moving to Gravesend. A short spell at Lewes followed before the Blues legend returned to Hartsdown Park. His strongest position is central midfield but he's equally comfortable at centre-half.

Roland Edge signs from Folkestone Invicta. The defender previously played professionally for Gillingham, Hull City and Hibernian, making nearly 150 Football League and Scottish Premier League appearances in a nine-year career.

Another Folkestone acquisition is defender Kevin Watson. Watson, who was with Charlton as a youth, was the captain of the Team Bath side that made it to the First Round of the FA Cup in 2003/04 season.

Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: "These are top, top players. Lloyd and myself are absolutely delighted with who we've got so far.

“There's no way in the world we want a repeat of last season and in announcing these new players we have already got the nucleus of a new squad. We've taken steps to strengthen all areas of the side and their experience at this level and higher is vitally important to us."

Four of last season's squad - Ben Lewis, Nathan Paul, Ian Selley and Alex Tiesse - have agreed new deals.

Walker added: "I'm pleased to have secured the services of those four players. We've still got to speak to others in the current squad and will make announcements as and when."

Another signing from a higher-league club is being finalised and will be announced later in the week.

Visit club websites:

www.bromleyfc.net

www.doverathletic.com

www.dartfordfc.co.uk

www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk be listing pre-season friendlies shortly so to have your fixtures included please click on CONTACT US.