Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United
Gravesend & Northfleet's ground has been passed fit by Conference League inspectors, reports BBC Radio Kent. Another Conference side had complained that the Northfleet End at Stonebridge Road - which is awaiting renovation - was not up to the standard. It argued that Gravesend should be relegated as a result, but the league said there was not a problem. Club chairman Brian Kilcullen said terrace building work should be finished by the start of next season

Ford regrets leaving Gravesend
Former Gravesend and Northfleet manager Andy Ford says he regrets quitting the club when he did. He resigned as Fleet boss in January but has got a testimonial at the club on Tuesday next week. Ford told BBC Radio Kent that in hindsight he rushed his decision to leave the Kent club and should have taken more time before making any move. He has joined the coaching staff at Stevenage Borough and is working with the first team and younger players.

Essandoh released by Gravesend
Gravesend and Northfleet striker Roy Essandoh is one of four players that has been released by the Kent side. Essandoh, 29, had been top scorer for Fleet this season and had wanted to play for the club full-time. Defender Nathan Bunce, winger Moussa Sidibe, who spent the last month of the season at Welling, and goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson have also been released. But Lee Protheroe, Ben Surey, Jimmy Jackson and Player of the Year Justin Skinner have been given new deals.

Skinner signs new Fleet contract
Gravesend and Northfleet defender Justin Skinner has agreed a new deal to stay at Stonebridge Road. Former Wimbledon defender Skinner has signed a 12-month part-time contract with Liam Daish¿s side. The 32-year-old was voted player of the year last season by his Fleet team-mates after a consistent campaign. Skinner has played almost 100 Conference games for the club since rejoining in August 2001, helping them to the Ryman League title.

Gravesend complete Smith signing
Gravesend and Northfleet have completed the protracted deal for Welling centre-back James Smith. Afer having bids of £2,000 rejected for the 19-year-old, Fleet succeeded with a third undisclosed amount. A stumbling block of a sell-on clause has been cleared and Smith has agreed terms with Fleet boss Liam Daish. Welling boss Adrian Pennock said: "It's a good deal for both parties. He is going to join a Conference club and we wish him well for the future."

Conference increases loan quotas
The Conference has increased the number of loan players clubs can use next season after the enforced introduction of the transfer window system. Clubs can register four short-term and four long-term loan players and can play five loan players in a game. Clubs can also sign a keeper for a minimum period of seven days outside the transfer window if they do not have a registered keeper available. The changes are being brought in to soften the blow of the transfer window.

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. All the Conference fixtures As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Conference opening day fixtures (Saturday, 13 August): Accrington Stanley v Canvey Island Aldershot Town v Tamworth Burton Albion v Grays Athletic Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City Hereford United v Scarborough Kidderminster Harriers v Woking Morecambe v Halifax Town Stevenage Borough v Altrincham York City v Crawley Town Tuesday, 16 August Altrincham v Accrington Stanley Cambridge United v Hereford United Canvey Island v Aldershot Town Crawley Town v Dagenham & Redbridge Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers Grays Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet Halifax Town v Burton Albion Scarborough v Morecambe Southport v York City Tamworth v Forest Green Rovers Woking v Stevenage Borough

Ford named as Stevenage assistant
Stevenage Borough have appointed former Gravesend manager Andy Ford as their new assistant boss. He joined Boro on an initial short-term basis towards the end of last season and has now been confirmed as Graham Westley's number two. "Fordy is an experienced man and I particularly like his managerial background," Westley told his club's official website. "I believe we forged a strong partnership last year."

Daish is excited by Smith capture
Boss Liam Daish feels that new defender James Smith has "a lot to offer" Gravesend & Northfleet. Smith, 19, has moved to Stonebridge Road from Welling United for an undisclosed four-figure fee. "He will add strength and pace to our defence, something that I believe we were short of last season," Daish told his club's website. "Full-time training will make James an even better player - I am looking forward to working with him."

Gravesend refuse to make excuses
Gravesend & Northfleet striker Charlie McDonald made no attempt to gloss over a poor performance after they were thrashed 6-1 by Grays Athletic. McDonald told BBC Radio Kent: "We're not here to make any excuses and we need to put things right. "I was embarrassed and I'm sure the other boys were too. I feel sorry for the fans who travelled down here. "I've never been on the end of a hiding like that and I don't want to be on the end of another one because it hurts." "We've now got a massive derby on Saturday against Canvey, but it's not just going to happen for us, we've got to grind out a result."

Fleet boss shrugs off criticism
Boss Liam Daish has shrugged off criticism on internet message boards after guiding Gravesend & Northfleet to their first win of the season. After losing their first two games, Fleet won 2-1 at Canvey on Saturday. "I'm not interested in websites - all I'm interested in is looking after the players," Daish told BBC Radio Kent. "I might have a few harsh words, but I'll say them in the dressing room. As much as I might give them a rollicking, I'll give them a pat on the back too."

Gravesend receive stadium boost
Gravesend & Northfleet have received a major boost to their ground redevelopment plans with a grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. The fund will provide 50% of the estimated £70,000 cost of rebuilding the Northfleet End at Stonebridge Road. Fleet chairman Brian Kilcullen told his club's website: "We're delighted to get a grant towards necessary safety works. "We've had great support from the FSIF in the past and are pleased they've been able to assist us again."

Wright eyes further McShane loan
Peterborough boss Mark Wright wants goalkeeper Luke McShane to gain further first-team experience following a successful loan spell at Gravesend. McShane, 19, played five games for Fleet, losing only once. "It would be good for him to have a similar deal somewhere else," Wright told his club's website. "Luke is a good goalkeeper but with Mark Tyler and Lee Harrison at the club it looks unlikely he will get a game at present and he needs to be playing."

Jackson hits Gravesend landmark
Jimmy Jackson marked his 500th appearance for Gravesend on Tuesday with a goal in the club's 2-0 win over Forest Green. After his spectacular 30-yard free-kick, he professed his delight at his record achievement. "It's a great accolade to play 500 games for the club you love and your local side," he told Sir Stanley. "I was delighted to play and you have to take it as another game, but most importantly we got three points." Jackson admitted he had pushed his team-mates to let him take the free-kick which stretched Gravesend's lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute. "I wanted to take it," he said. "I fancied it, but I've got to admit the last few years my free-kicks have been poor, so it's nice to get on the score-sheet with a free-kick."

Fleet concerned about attendances
Gravesend and Northfleet hope to reverse the drop in attendances at Stonebridge Road this season. Fleet, who are now a full-time club, have seen their average crowds drop by around 250 compared to last year. "We discussed it at length at our board meeting this week and will be bringing out some new initiatives very soon," said chairman Brian Kilcullen. "A meeting is also scheduled with the Supporters Trust to examine more ways of bringing in the fans."

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