| Sunday 29th June 2008 |
| Three more pen new deals |
The club are pleased to announce that Jon Coke, Wayne Finnie and Phil Williams have all put pen to paper and will be playing for the K's in 2008/09.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "No one wants to leave this football club and that must say something about us. I'm delighted that these boys are the latest to commit for next season. Cokey's served the club well for a number of years in whatever role has been asked of him, Wayne's come back after his eye operations and been reliable and consistent for us, whilst Phil is an exciting player and showed us glimpses of that in the short time he had at the end of last season." |
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| Saturday 28th June 2008 |
| Taking an interest in youth |
Last weekend saw over a thousand people from across the South East attend the second annual Kingstonian Youth Summer Tournament at Dinton Field, Kingston. The youth setup are going stronger than ever - something marked by more than just the league and cup titles picked up each season.
Kingstonian Youth are the only FA Charter Standard Development Club in the borough and the tournament has proven an exciting showpiece for their organisation - last year incorporated as a regional host for McDonalds' Football Festivals, attended by Sir Geoff Hurst and Ray Wilkins. Last weekend Kingstonian FC provided the senior support, with Alan Dowson putting his usual enthusiasm into action!
Alan comments, "What the youth setup do is amazing, and the tournament was fantastic. It takes time but to get a kid joining us at U7 and working their way through all the ranks and into the senior setup is a big ambition for us. Thanks to Mark Hams for coming with me, and also Simon Huckle and Wayne Finnie who turned up to watch with their own kids. Knowing those two, though, their little ones will probably end up as netball players though!
"I look forward to seeing more of the youngsters next season, especially down at the club where we'll make them feel welcome - they're part of the future of the club." |
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| Monday 23rd June 2008 |
| Alan Dowson interview |
The manager spoke to us about how things have been shaping up in the close-season and you can hear what he had to say via the audio player.
Please note: The interview is around 23 minutes in length and 5.3mb in size. |
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| Friday 13th June 2008 |
| Steve Goddard |
The club are pleased to announce that Steve Goddard has put pen to paper and will be playing for the K's in 2008/09.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "Steve spent a long time on the treatment table last season but he's still got his destiny in his hands as I said last time - he can end up a Conference player or a Sunday League player. He wants to stay and it's now up to him to come back fully fit and with the desire to make it. He can write his name proper right now and even do joined up writing so we're moving in the right direction."
Meanwhile, Dowson has been left disappointed by a potential new signing, "I had a good striker lined up to join us - he gave me his word before going away - now that's he back he's just phoned to say he's gone and joined another club for a better deal. I'm obviously disappointed with that but we'll just crack on and see what else we can do." |
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| Wednesday 11th June 2008 |
| Adam Thompson |
The club are delighted to announce the signing of defender Adam Thompson (25) from Premier Division side Staines Town. Adam was part of Staines' FA Cup run team of last season, whilst also playing for Conference South side Hayes & Yeading in the second half of the season.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "I'm cock-a-hoop about getting Adam. He's a quick and strong centre half and he's the best out there that we'll get." |
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| Transfer update |
Alan Dowson comments on the close-season progress, "I'm pleased with how things are shaping up for next season. I've brought in Hustwick and Thompson from higher divisions to add to what we've already got, and we'll be announcing our new centre forward when he comes back from holiday next week.
"One player who I've met and spoken to a few times is midfielder Bash Alimi. I know he's a popular player here but I was a bit worried about him having been in a losing team for so long. As it is he's chosen to join Carshalton as he wants to play at the highest level possible so good luck to him. As announced before, I have got Mark Beard lined up for a midfield role and should be hearing whether he'll be going to Cyprus or not at the end of week." |
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| Sunday 8th June 2008 |
| Mark Hams at Lilleshall |
Assistant manager Mark Hams recently completed a residential course at the Lilleshall Hall National Sports Centre, where he studied towards his UEFA A Coaching Badge.
Mark comments, "The past two weeks have been a great experience on Part 2 of the UEFA A Licence course at Lilleshall, though after a gruelling sixty-something half hour sessions I am pleased to return to my family! I met some great people whilst there and feel that I have expanded my knowledge of the game greatly so I look forward to bringing some of the ideas to the table at Kingstonian. I also have my assessment to look forward to sometime later in the year.
"The best part of being at Lilleshall is that you get no reception on your mobile. Therefore I was limited to minimal contact with Dowse - we only managed eight conversations a day!"
Pictures are available here. |
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| Insight into Manchester United |
Kingstonian management duo Alan Dowson and Mark Hams recently visited Manchester United, with members of their backroom team, to get an insight into coaching methods - the type which saw the Old Trafford club crowned Premier League and European champions.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "It was fantastic of a great club like Man Utd to have us over, and we're very grateful to them for that. We all enjoyed seeing the setup and meeting some of the players and management, including Sir Alex. We in particular had a chance to see how they develop their teams, through academy director Brian McClair and his coaches.
Pictures are available here. |
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| Thursday 5th June 2008 |
| Kingstonian & Raynes Park Vale |
Kingstonian Football Club are delighted to announce a collaboration with Raynes Park Vale FC to assist in the development of players for the mutual benefit of both clubs.
Kingstonian players will be able to play for either the Raynes Park Vale 1st XI in the Combined Counties League or their 2nd XI in the Suburban League.
Manager Alan Dowson rubberstamped the plans tonight, "This is a significant arrangement for both clubs. They do things very well there and I'm very impressed with their manager Mark Williams and everyone else I've met.
"It's an opportunity for me to send over some of my players who need games, and also for Adrian Withers to introduce his talented Under 18's to adult football as and when theyre ready.
"I now just hope that we draw them in the FA Cup as I'll pull all the lads out for that game! In all seriousness, its going to play an important part in our playing setup and we'll also work with them off the field as Adrian Withers and Rod Wallace will assist with the setup."
To mark the collaboration the clubs will meet in a pre-season friendly at Raynes Park Vales' Grand Drive home on Tuesday 5th August, kick off 7.45pm. |
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| Kingston Hospital trip |
A team from the club popped in to Kingston Hospital yesterday to visit the children's ward. First team manager Alan Dowson, first team player Jason Turley, youth team manager Adrian Withers and marketing director Calvin Avery took the opportunity to see how the youngsters were doing, chat to them about football and present them with some K's teamwear.
Alan Dowson comments, "Something we try and appreciate is the wider community. The football club has been around since the eighteen hundreds and we can never just ignore what is going on around us. Adrian and the youth section do a fantastic job and I'll make use of our senior players whenever possible. In this case with Jason he's been out with injury towards the end of the season so it's a nice way to get him involved again. Whilst there I did pop in to the psychiatrist to see if Stevie Goddard was around!" |
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| Jason Turley |
The club are pleased to announce that Jason Turley has put pen to paper and will be playing for the K's in 2008/09.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "Jason had some injury problems last season but when fit has shown that he can be one of the most important players in the team. He's had his knee op now and will be ready for pre-season. He can't wait, and neither can I. It's no coincidence that we did well as a team when he was fit and playing." |
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| Wednesday 4th June 2008 |
| Mark Beard |
Former Kingstonian defender/midfielder Mark Beard has provisionally re-signed for the club from AFC Wimbledon, depending upon whether he remains in the country following an offer to play professional football in Cyprus.
Mark made 88 appearances for the club over two spells between 2000 and 2004, having signed from Southend United on both occasions. |
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| Tuesday 3rd June 2008 |
| Mark makes it up Nevis |
Well done to Mark Francis, from the Ks backroom staff, who successfully reached the summit of Ben Nevis on 24th May, with a beer keg in tow, as part of the 20 strong 'Carlsberg Ben Nevis Team'. The team raised just over £7,000 for St Christopher's Hospice Sydenham. Mark personally raised £561 of the total, of which half has been earmarked as a donation to the club.
Mark comments, "It was a tough but enjoyable day, the scenery was fantastic and weather was great. We have already discussed next year's event and we will be off to do a 15 mile trek across part of the Brecon Beacons. Can I thank everyone at K's who supported me and especially physio Jamie Street who came round on Bank Holiday Monday to ease the aches and give my legs a good massage."
First team manager Alan Dowson comments, "The majority of our backroom team are well known to the supporters, though Mark Francis and Alan Smith are unsung heroes as they are always on hand to help out. Marks done fantastically well on this trek, and even then has still been thinking about the club." |
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| Sunday 1st June 2008 |
| Pre-season fixtures |
The list of pre-season fixtures has been expanded and is now as follows:
Saturday 12th July, 1.00pm & 3.00pm, A v Chertsey
Saturday 19th July, 1.30pm & 3.30pm, A v Chessington & Hook Utd
Saturday 26th July, 3.00pm, A v Dunston Federation
Monday 28th July, 7.45pm, H v AFC Wimbledon
Thursday 31st July, 7.45pm, A v Camberley Town
Friday 1st August, 7.30pm, H v Fulham XI
Tuesday 5th August, 7.45pm, A v Raynes Park Vale
Saturday 9th August, 3.00pm, H v Sutton United
The opening two fixtures, at Chertsey and Chessington & Hook, will be double-headers with the reserves playing ahead of what would be classified the first team matches. |
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| Jamie Beer |
The club are pleased to announce that Jamie Beer has put pen to paper and will be playing for the K's in 2008/09.
Manager Alan Dowson comments, "I've played with Beero and when fit there's no one better at doing what he does. He's a good character to have around and just the kind of guy we need to have around." |
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| Three could sign |
Alan Dowson has been busy working on his transfer targets over the past few weeks and feels that he is close to signing up to three new players
The manager comments, "I'm obviously pleased that we have brought in Max Hustwick but I'm still looking to strengthen the playing staff across all areas. I've got a defender, a midfielder and a striker lined up so we'll see where that goes in the next few days. One thing for sure is that I'm only looking to bring in players who want to play for this great club, and not anyone who's just motivated by money." |
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