Ebbsfleet United

McPhee extends stay at Ebbsfleet
Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish has secured the services of striker Chris McPhee until the end of the season. The former Torquay and Brighton man, 24, has agreed a deal after starting the season on non-contract terms. McPhee has made 20 Blue Square Premier appearances for Fleet this season and follows utility man Michael Bostwick in signing a new deal at Stonebridge Road. "There has been interest from other clubs but they are two key players for us," Daish told Fleet's website.

Ebbsfleet boss Daish praises team
Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish hailed his team's persistence after Chris McPhee's penalty in extra time gave them a 3-2 win at Exeter in the Setanta Shield. Daish said: "It was a fantastic performance from the boys. "We were behind for a long time but the lads never stopped working hard and kept going until the end. "We looked like the stronger team in extra time. Even when we conceded an equaliser there was a response from the players. We deserved to win."

New Fleet deal for striker Akinde
Ebbsfleet United's teenage striker John Akinde has agreed a new deal at Stonebridge Road. The 18-year-old has signed up until the end of next season after breaking into the first-team in recent weeks. Akinde scored twice over the holiday period to take his tally to four in seven games since making his senior debut in November. The former youth team product had previously had loan spells at Margate and Whitstable Town.

Daish uncertain of Ebbsfleet role
Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish has said it is still not clear what his role will be when the club is bought by fans' website myfootballclub. The takeover is now expected in mid-January, and promises the website's members a say in team selection. Daish said: "If anyone can see what we've done here in the last three years, I'd hope they'd respect that." The deal with myfootballclub, the first of its kind in world football, was initially announced in November.

Fleet's Daish takes monthly award
Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has been given the Blue Square Premier manager of the month award for January. The prize recognised Fleet's three straight league wins in early 2008. Daish's side ended Burton Albion's unbeaten away record in Blue Square Premier and notched up 4-1 wins against Weymouth and Grays Athletic. January also saw Ebbsfleet win in the FA Trophy and Kent Senior Cup as they stretched their unbeaten run to nine games by the end of the month. United's Stacy Long has also been nominated for the Blue Square Premier player of the month award, his four goals in January helping the team's push towards the play-off places. The other nominees are Steve Morison (Stevenage), Matt Tubbs (Salisbury City), Jamie Cook (Crawley Town) and Emmanuel Panther (York City). Fleet's game at home to Exeter City on Saturday is the third anniversary of Daish's first game as the club's manager.

Fleet boss angry with early start
Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish is furious one of the club's biggest games in years is starting at 1200 GMT because of police concerns about trouble. Daish says the club will lose money because the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-final against Aldershot has been brought forward from 1500 on Saturday. He told SSB: "I can't understand it. Ebbsfleet v Aldershot - we should be able to deal with that. "I don't see any other constabularies bringing their games forward." "Why is it us? We'll probably lose a bit of money from it, it's not ideal but we'll get on with it." Daish is concerned that the overall crowd will be reduced as a result of the change. He has called on the supporters to "give the shopping a miss and come and cheer on the Fleet". The winner of the two-legged tie will play either Torquay or York in the final at Wembley on 10 May.

Daish still has play-off target
Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has not given up hope on getting into the Blue Square Premier play-offs, despite his side being 14 points off the pace. The Fleet ended a run of three successive defeats with a win against high-flying Cambridge on Monday. Daish told SSB: "We'll just keep going, getting as many points as we can. We know it's going to be tough, but it's not done and dusted." Ebbsfleet's play-off push stuttered after getting to the FA Trophy final. They will play Torquay in the final on 10 May and it is the first time the club have reached Wembley.

Daish reshuffles Ebbsfleet squad
Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has tied five players to new one-year contracts - while allowing five others to depart. Strikers Raphael Nade and Chukki Eribenne have been released, along with defender Ronnie Bull and midfielders Lee Maskell and Liam Coleman. Captain Paul McCarthy, 36, and fellow defenders Mark Ricketts, 23, and Sacha Opinel, 31, have signed new deals. Striker Luke Moore, 20, and midfielder Neil Barrett, 26, are also staying at Stonebridge Road for next season. Daish has already lost the services of utility man Michael Bostwick, who recently turned down the offer of a new deal and joined Blue Square Premier rivals Stevenage. However, they will be entitled to compensation because he is under 24.

Ebbsfleet bag Brentford's Charles
Ebbsfleet United have completed the signing of Brentford defender Darius Charles on a season-long loan. Charles had a spell with the Kent club towards the end of last season and started eight matches for Fleet during that period. The 20-year-old made his debut for the Bees in the 2004/05 season after progressing through the youth ranks at the club. Charles has started 25 matches for Brentford, scoring once. He has also had a loan spells at Crawley Town and Sutton United.

Posh waiting on Akinde response
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has revealed he is in talks with Ebbsfleet striker John Akinde about a possible move to London Road. Ebbsfleet have rejected several offers from Posh for the 19-year-old who has already scored twice this season. But it appears Peterborough may not be Akinde's preferred destination. Ferguson told Radio Cambridgeshire: "He's gone to Bristol City to talk with them, it's understandable, they're a Championship club." Akinde has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances for the Blue Square Premier side, since making his debut for the club last season. Whilst Posh and Bristol City have been given permission to open talks with Akinde, whether or not the transfer goes ahead will be decided by an internet vote. Members of myfootballclub.co.uk, who own Ebbsfleet United, will vote online to decide if the club should allow Akinde to move on.

Daish blasts ref over sending off
Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish says he is furious at Darius Charles's sending off in their 1-0 defeat to Histon on Monday. Charles was shown a second yellow card by referee John Hopkins for diving but replays showed he was tripped up. Daish told Radio Kent: "He's one of the most honest players I've ever worked with. "You've got someone who's probably never played football and has stopped the kid playing on a suspension." Daish added: "I've seen the replays - Darius has been knocked three times before he went to ground and on the video he's getting up and trying to get the ball back because he's an honest lad." "Against teams like Histon - who are a good side, organised and strong - you need a decent referee performance and we didn't get that. "It does sicken and gall me that performance but we've got to get on with it. "I've said to the lads we'll use this as a positive, we'll get closer together, we'll get closer knit and we won't ask for any help." Daish confirmed that they would not be allowed to appeal the sending off. "I've been told you can only appeal straight reds, I think that's another rule for the Conference. "The Conference have a lot of rules that aren't the same in other divisions - we're a league on our own I think." Charles will now miss Ebbsfleet's next match with Kidderminster on Saturday.

Daish questions FA Trophy winners
Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish believes some of his FA Trophy-winning squad may have outstayed their welcome. Following a third straight defeat at Kidderminster, Daish told Radio Kent that some players would have left if they had not won at Wembley in May. "Last season gave a few players an extended time at the club because I thought we should keep everyone together and hopefully build on that. "But some players haven't really gone to the next level for me." Daish added: "We can't afford to stagnate. "I'm expected to get into play-offs this year and I need a group of players who can physically do it. "I thought <37-year-old defender> Paul McCarthy was exceptional but he's the oldest player on the pitch."

Fleet appealing Ricketts red card
Ebbsfleet United have appealed against the sending-off of defender Mark Ricketts late on in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion. Ricketts was shown a straight red by referee Dean Mohareb a minute from the final whistle for a challenge on Shaun Harrad deemed a professional foul. Daish told BBC Radio Kent: "There was a bit of tugging from both of them and they both fell over in a heap. "I thought he might book him, if that, but it's wrong to send him off." He added: "Do I have to respect that? Can I respect that? A minute later he blows the whistle and we haven't got Ricketts for the next game." If the appeal is unsuccessful, Ricketts will miss the Setanta Shield game against Eastbourne. Following their fifth consecutive defeat in the league, Daish said his players would have to address the fundamentals of the game. "I keep saying it, but basics - we're not doing those well enough. "Basic defending, basic heading of the ball, basic clearing, being on the move in both boxes - it's something we've got to iron out and work on."

Defender Crooks joins Ebbsfleet
Ebbsfleet United have signed Wycombe Wanderers defender Leon Crooks on a one-month loan deal. The 23-year-old, who has made just three starts for Wycombe this term, is being loaned out following the arrivals of Chris Casement and TJ Moncur. Meanwhile Wycombe winger Derek Duncan has left the club by mutual consent. Duncan, 21, moved to Adams Park in 2007 under then manager Paul Lambert but failed to hold a place in the team and made just three appearances.

FA Trophy semi-final draw is made
Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough will face FA Trophy holders Ebbsfleet United or Wrexham in this year's two-leg semi-final. After a 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham will travel to Ebbsfleet on Tuesday for the replay. Conference North sides AFC Telford and Southport will also replay on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw at the New Bucks Head. The winner will face Blue Square Premier strugglers York City in the other semi-final. The first-legs will be played on 14 March with Stevenage and AFC Telford or Southport at home followed by the second-leg on 21 March before the final is held on 9 May at Wembley Stadium.

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