News - September 2002

News - September 2002

Cole Goes On Loan

25/09/2002

In order to improve his fitness, Tim Cole has been loaned to fellow Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet. The Kent club had been struggling for defenders, and he made his debut against Doncaster in a 2-2 draw. It is hoped by DaggerNet that he can recapture his fitness and form of 2000/01 in his loan period and return ready to return to the Daggers' line-up. This follows a season out for the big defender with a broken foot.

Garry Has A Clear-Out

22/09/2002

Manager Garry Hill has taken drastic steps and sold or released several members of his squad. Youngster Ollie Berquez, previously of Chelmsford, played for Billericay last week, but yesterday played for Braintree. Steve Vaughan has gone on loan to Ford, and it is unclear as to whether this will become permanent. Recently signed Ross Johnson, who was thought to have signed a long-term deal, has also gone, to Canvey Island. After Tim Cole and Lee Matthews made returns to first-team action, it was though that Johnson was not needed. The fee for Johnson is not known. Another to leave is Danny Hayzelden, who has returned to Grays. He signed from our Essex neighbours after helping them into the Ryman Premier League. He didn't quite progress as the Club thought he might, and has gone back for a similar fee to that when he joined the Daggers. The last member of the squad to go is Steve McGavin. He signed a two-year deal before the start of the 01/02 season, and has been in talks with his ex-club Colchester United. Steve never got into the team on a regular basis and it was thought by both parties that it was best if he moved on. DaggerNet would like to wish them all the best with their new clubs.

Matthews Signs

19/09/2002

Lee Matthews has been rewarded for his return to fitness with a 2-year contract. Lee has been out for over a year after damaging a cruciate ligament in a friendly at Erith & Belvedere. He made his comeback against Kettering and Garry Hill has seen fit to sign him up again.

Potts Signs

13/09/2002

In response to a recently leaky defence, Garry Hill has signed Steve Potts the ex-West Ham defender. Despite his small stature he has played around 500 games for the Hammers and has recently been training with Colchester, playing in their pre-season friendly against the Daggers. This seems a very strange move seeing as Matthews, Smith and Cole are all back in contention to shore up the defensive problem and it seemed the last thing we needed was another defender to add to the 8 specialists and several others who can deputise there. After the signing of Ross Johnson, a move which was really only needed short-term due to the impending fitness of the injured trio, Potts' addition sees Garry Hill with the problem of who will depart. After signing Johnson and West recently on long contracts, it would seem that one of the old guard is seen as surplus to requirements. With Matthews being kept on to recover from his injury, it seems very unlikely he will leave, so one or even two of Rooney, Cole and Smith look set to leave. In the opinion of DaggerNet this would not be a good move as seemingly lowering confidence and spirit is better resolved by those who are Dagenham through and through, and not those who have signed more recently.

Big Reserve Win

12/09/2002

The Daggers Reserves won 7-1 against Hitchin to keep their 100% record. Certain players from the 5-1 loss at Doncaster were included such as Goodwin, Vickers and McGavin. Tim Cole and Lee Matthews also played to continue their comebacks from injury as did Mark Janney. John Keeling, coming back from a broken leg, also made an appearance. He came off the bench in the second half and was victim of two awful tackles, but managed to stay on. Junior scored four of the goals, with strike partner McGavin scoring twice. An own goal was the other strike for the Daggers.