Soccer Shorts: Owners to meet Dulwich Hamlet fans over stadium development

BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer says he has been spending much of his summer break carrying out renovations to the older of the club’s two stands at Eden Park Avenue.

The main work has been the complete renewal of the seating and walkways.

“The work was urgently needed and it has now given the old stand a new lease of life and improved the spectator comfort at the ground,” Mr Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) have switched their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round home tie against Raynes Park Vale to Sunday, 17 August 2014. Kick-off will be 13:00.

CROCKENHILL, who finished their Kent Invicta League campaign at the foot of the table on three points last season, are searching for a new reserve team manager as well as a physio for their first team.  Please contact Craig Clark on 07737 575 973.

DULWICH HAMLET’S owners have proposed a consultation on a proposed development of the Champion Hill Stadium and surrounding area, which will take place on Saturday 19 July.

Hadley Property Group have released the following statement regarding the future of the club and stadium.

All fans, along with the local community, are welcome to attend and add their comments.

“As you may know Dulwich Hamlet FC has been in financial difficulties for a number of years,” said the statement.

“Hadley Property Group has recently acquired an interest in the site and club and we have spent the past 6 months putting both its football and business operations on a more sustainable financial footing so that the club has a future at Champion Hill.

“However as currently configured the facilities cannot continue to support the club and a change in the layout and footprint of the buildings is needed.

“There is an opportunity to provide a new stadium and to invest in the open space located around the stadium.

“We have engaged the architects Farrells who are leaders in the field of masterplanning to work with all who have an interest in the area, including club supporters, local residents and businesses, sports and recreation groups and Southwark Council.

“The first stage will be a consultation event to give everyone an opportunity to respond to our initial ideas for the future of the area based on the opportunities and constraints.

“This will take a place on Saturday 19th of July 2014 at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. We hope that you are able to attend, but if this is not possible please feel free to contact us at dulwichhamletfc@fourcommunications.com.”

The exhibition will take place between 10:00-15:00 at the club’s Champion Hill Stadium.

ERITH & BELVEDERE continue their pre-season campaign with a game against Ryman Premier League side Hendon on Friday.

It will be played at the London Soccer Dome in Greenwich (7:45pm).

The Deres were 2-0 up against Chatham Town last Friday thanks to two goals from Chris Hubbard, but a hat-trick from Ade Yusseff ensured Matt Longhurst lost his first game in charge of the club.

The former Corinthian manager is looking forward to a good work-out against Gary McCann’s side.

He said: “They’ll be tougher, they’re going to be fit.  They’re going to be six foot tall, but they try and play.

“We don’t know too much about them. We know Scott Cousins, their coach, because we’ve organised the game with him.

“That will be a decent game. We’ll mix it up again on Friday and (away to Sutton Athletic) on Saturday and then we’ll start knuckling it down from the Dover game.”

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Ray Turner will begin the process of deciding which of his 37-man pre-season squad are ready for competitive first-team action, as his side begin their pre-season campaign at home to Millwall on Saturday.

Faversham supporters can look forward to seeing a number of their own young players in action for the first team, along with midfielder George Monger, who has signed from Conference Premier side Dartford and Sam Bewick, who has signed from their Ryman League Division One South rivals Hythe Town.

Forward Dean Grant, midfielder Wayne Wilson and goalkeeper Rob French will also return to action at Salters Lane, along with all the players retained from last season’s squad.

Faversham Town’s player-coach, Danny Hockton, 35, who made 36 appearances for the Lions between 1996-2000, is also likely to get a good reception from both sets of fans.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA welcome Gillingham to Cheriton Road for their opening pre-season friendly on Friday, which will be a testimonial for long-serving defender Liam Friend.  Kick-off is at 7:30pm.

GREENWICH BOROUGH will be playing two friendlies on Friday.  Their first team will play Kent Invicta League side Bridon Ropes at Coldharbour Leisure Centre in Eltham (7:30pm), while the club’s newly-created under 21 side face Kent Invicta League champions Hollands & Blair on the 3G pitch at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium at 7:45pm.

HERNE BAY manager Sam Denly has added young Maidstone United defender Dan Johnson to his squad on a season long loan from the Ryman Premier League outfit.

Johnson is a 6’2” central defender and Denly has secured his signature after reaching agreement with Stones manager Jay Saunders.

RUSTHALL will be holding their Annual General Meeting inside their clubhouse at Jockey Farm on Sunday, 13 July, starting at 11:00.

“Everyone is welcome. There are a number of vacancies on the committee, so if you are interested in getting involved with the running of the club, please come along,” said a club statement.

THAMESMEAD TOWN manager Keith McMahon says he has re-signed all but two of his squad that were relegated from the Ryman Premier League last season.

The Mead have re-signed Leslie Thompson - and Michael Spencer has arrived from AFC Hornchurch.

Spencer was one of three players to be released by the Essex club at the end of the season because of concerns over his fitness.

McMahon, meanwhile, is searching for a UEFA B coach for the club’s Academy.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm says he is targeting the Ryman Premier League play-offs in his first season in charge at Longmead Stadium.

McKimm, 38, has replaced Tommy Warrilow at the helm, after spending six years at Sutton United.

McKimm met supporters at a meet-the-manager event at the club last night.

A club statement said: “It felt like a new era at Tonbridge Angels as around 60 supporters gathered in the Clubhouse at Longmead to meet and hear what manager Steve McKimm had to say about prospects for the forthcoming season. 

“In an honest and forthright session Steve was very clear that the players he has brought in are those who want to play for football reasons and not for money. They will be playing for the badge and also to prove a point about their football careers which in some cases have stalled.  

“In answer to suggestions that the squad, however keen is somewhat youthful, Steve pointed out that there is experience in the side in defence and midfield with the likes of Jon Heath, Jerome Sobers  Harry Harding and Lee Carey with two proven strikers up front. 

“Despite the fact that the Ryman League Premier Division is a tough competition with some strong clubs, Steve was adamant that as far as he is concerned there is absolutely no reason why the play offs should not be a realistic target.

“Steve explained that the players will be subject to a code of conduct and will be expected to look out for their colleagues during matches in an effort to keep cards to a minimum so that in turn suspensions will hopefully be reduced - very necessary where there is a relatively small squad.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS striker Brendon Cass says he wants to help win promotion with his new club.

Cass has arrived at Culverden Stadium to help Martin Larkin’s side get out of the Southern Counties East Football League after dropping down one division, having previously played for Faversham Town.

“After speaking with Martin (Larkin) and Richard Sinden, they persuaded me that the club wanted promotion this year,” Cass told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“I was impressed with both when talking about how the team play, the club, the fans and their expectations for the season.

“We obviously all want promotion this year but that’s what most clubs set out to do!

“I’m hoping to get on the score sheet regularly, but most importantly help the team have a successful season.”
 
WELLING UNITED boss Jamie Day has completed the signing of midfielder Charlie Gorman from Eastbourne Borough.

Having played for Eastbourne for the past two seasons, Day is confident that Gorman can make the step up to Conference Premier football with Welling.

A delighted Day told www.wellingunited.com: “Charlie is a comfortable midfield player who is a good young addition to the squad.

“He has played a good amount of games in Conference South over the past two seasons and is looking to progress his career.

“He adds good competition in the middle of the park and I’m sure he’ll enjoy playing for Welling.”

WHITSTABLE TOWN have unveiled the arrival of attacking midfielder Tom Loynes, who scored eight goals for their Ryman League Division One South rivals Sittingbourne last season.