Campaign starts with a fresh look

County League football takes on a NEW look this season.

There are new sponsors, a clutch of new teams – including Rolvenden – and all three local teams Bromley Green, Kennington and Tenterden are under new management.

NRG Gym, based at Gravesend, are the league’s new backers, replacing estate agents haart, while Ashford League champions Rolvenden are one of seven sides featuring for the first time.

Gary Penfold and Lee McRobert have taken over at Bromley Green, Dan Scorer is in charge at Kennington, while Mark Kerrigan and Freddie Rogers have moved in at Tenterden.

Rolvenden start in Division 3 East at Borden Village Reserves on Saturday with signings Paul Burt and midfielder Matt Clarke – brother of Ashford United skipper Gary – in the squad.

Boss Albert Adams said: “We are ready and looking forward to it.

“We were unbeaten in pre-season. Getting here has taken hard work by a lot of people and it is a step in the right direction for the whole club. We are also retaining our Ashford League links by fielding a reserve team.”

The club’s end-of-season awards presentation was delayed due to preparing for the new league. Culley Sayer was named manager’s player- ofthe-year, Ben Charlesworth won the players’ award, while 54-goal Tim Sims won the top scorer award.

Penfold and McRobert step up from running Bromley Green’s reserves, following the departure of Micky Doyle.

Doyle, who plans to play for Willesborough in the Ashford League said: “It was a tough managerial baptism but I enjoyed it. I thought I improved a doomed side but it just wasn’t to be.”

Club patron Dave Homewood said: “I don’t like the word transition but that is exactly what it is. Realistically, we will be looking to hold our own in the league.”

Scorer, 23, has taken over as manager of Kennington, the club he played for from the age of seven to 16.

He is awaiting specialist advice on whether he needs surgery on a second cruciate knee ligament injury suffered last season but is relishing the opportunity to take over.

He said: “It may have come a bit early for me but I always wanted to go into coaching or management and the response I have had since taking the job has been overwhelming.”

New faces include midfielder Adam Phillips, another former youth player who trained with Ashford United pre-season and striker Ryan Tumelty who has moved to the area from Northern Ireland.

Kennington start their campaign with a trip to Deal Community Sports.

The club will continue to play home games at Julie Rose Stadium.

Tenterden’s new boss Kerrigan has been out of the game for three years after a successful spell at Tonbridge Invicta. He said: “This chance came at the right time for me. Freddie (Rogers) and I have come in, been given a free hand and carried out a clean sweep. The team will be all local boys, we have linked up with Tenterden Tigers and there is a lot of untapped talent around.”

They start in Division 2 East with a trip to South Darenth.