Ebbsfleet

Ebbsfleet United have been getting on with building for a season in National League South.

Their relegation was rubberstamped by the FA Council last week after the club had previously said they would not take legal action against the decision to send them down on points-per-game.

Fans were boosted with the news that popular midfielder Michael West has returned to the club for a third spell.

The crowd favourite started his career with the Fleet and has made over 100 appearances for them in his previous two spells.

Midfielder Alfie Egan, meanwhile, has signed on for a second season at the Kuflink Stadium.

Egan, joined Fleet last summer after leaving AFC Wimbledon and went onto make 25 appearances.

He said: “To come back for another year is truly exciting. “It’s clear we’re going to have a group with the same ambition, same goals and that can only be good for the club.” John Goddard was another newcomer last summer but he’s leaving, saying: “It’s not been an easy decision, I’ve had a couple of weeks thinking about things on a personal level about what I do next.” “I live in Reading so the location wasn’t ideal and now it’s a case of sitting down with my family and looking at the options.”

Fellow midfielder Frankie Sutherland has also departed after his decision to quit fulltime football.

The 26-year-old has decided instead to concentrate more time on a career outside of the game.

He said: “When I look around at everything that’s going on there now and what will I’m sure be an exciting season ahead for the club, it’s a tough decision for me to make.” There is another new keeper at the club, however, after the signing of former Gills youngster Tom Hadler, in to give competition to Aussie stopper Jordan Holmes.