Kington sign and Larkhall organise
Ashley Kington is the first player to sign on for Bath City FC for the 2015/16 season. After completing his first season with the Romans Kington was keen to extend his stay with the club. This was his 5th goal for the club on the final league game of the season against Staines Town away.
The former Weston-Super-Mare midfielder started 40 games last season and made 10 substitute appearances taking his tally to 50 for the season. He also added 5 goals in the process; 3 coming in the league and 2 in cup competitions. Bath’s season was extended due to a great FA Trophy run which saw them lose narrowly to North Ferriby on penalties in the semi final.
North Ferriby went on to the win the competition, beating Conference Premier side Wrexham in the final at Wembley. However it has since come out in the press that their club is up for sale, as their big money backer wants out of the club. This shows that money can’t buy stability in the traditional football model and why community ownership is becoming more popular in the UK.
Bath City are in the middle of a community take over by a fan’s group this summer, Big Bath City Bid, but there should be more signings in the next few weeks. One player has departed the club already with fan’s favourite Ross Stearn moving to Sutton United.
Across the City Larkhall Athletic have wasted no time at all in organising their pre season games. The stand out fixtures for them is the visit of Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare and Southern Premier League side Frome Town also at home.
Their full pre season fixture list reads:
14th July: away at Odd Down
18th July: away at Bradford Town
21st July: home to Frome Town (7.45ko)
24th July: home to Weston-super-Mare
28th July: away at Melksham
1st August: away at Slimbridge (subject to confirmation)
The players now have 8 weeks to relax and begin their fitness routines before they go again. It has been a great first season in the Southern League Div One for the Larks. They finished 5th on 77 points and qualified for the play offs to the Premier Division. The Larks eased past Evesham United away and only just lost out to Stratford Town in the play off final 3-2; after being 3-0 down.