Ben Lewis

[Jake]

I can't see any other information about this on here but according to the Maidstone United forum:

 

"Has signed forms with Margate However apparently they didn't make the routine 7 day approach so they have effectively tapped him up, leaving him unavailable for both clubs until the matter is 'resolved'.

[BlueGate Alan]

This has already been mentioned on another thread.

[buzzgate]

Seems a bit of a strange Aprils Fool as has been suggested on other thread. I reckon its probably true, but stand to be laughed at!

[BlueGate Alan]

Seems strange nothing on their official site too. Time will tell though but as our defence is playing well, do we really need him?

[buzzgate]

Totally agree about if we need him. Perhaps, as suggested, half an eye on next year to bolster it even more.

[BlueGate Alan]

Yep in that case maybe a shrewd signing if allowed. Maybe he is a mate of Aaron Lacy?

[Ian_Sanderson]

Its been on the maidstone Forum for a few days now,lets face it, your Offical Site is hadly known to be quick with any news.

[BlueGate Alan]

Forums are slightly different to official sites though Ian

 

And I said theirs not ours

[michael]

If it is correct ( and my gut feel is that it is ),looks a good signing to me-experienced uncompromising,no nonsense defender-just up my street.

 

Good to see for the first time in about five seasons-some forethought going into next season-whatever league we are in.

I imagine their contracts have release clauses if we end up in ryman south.

 

Interesting also that at start of season-Pinns and saunders to maidstone-now the traffic is reveresed with Mullins, lacey ,possibly Lewis (did'nt Corbs also serve time at maidstone however briefly ? ).

 

Just need Jay Saunders back at the 'Gate now and thats next seasons squad sorted

 

Up the 'Gate

[michael]

Similarly-if it is correct and not an april fool posting-i trust that KT will check and then check again;and then again that the paperwork is in order, it was fimnalised before deadline day etc.

 

the last thing needed is a points deduction over this;if it does turn out to be correct.

 

I guess as wales manager TY is'nt too used to making 7 day approaches-he probably thinks a 7 day Approach is a religious cult.

[buzzgate]

Originally Posted By: michaelmichael

If it is correct ( and my gut feel is that it is ),looks a good signing to me-experienced uncompromising,no nonsense defender-just up my street.

Amen to that. Great to see TY go for quality such as Liam earlier this season and now experience, hopefully Ben, to come alongside the likes of Dan and Luke. Its what we must do to play at a decent level. The other side of the Island can have the pub league players!

[seasidesteve]

once again the club leaving everyone in the dark bloody typical, then they moan about rumours,i really dont know why we have an --official forum --

[michael]

Why should they comment on what is purely speculation at this stage ?

Hardly any other club would either.

 

No comment on the Maidstone official site either-so why 'criticise' Margate ?

 

If ,as we hope, this has transpired;and there is a problem re: the (lack of) 7 day approach-in this case-it seems to me even more sensible not to make any comment until it is sorted .

 

As i understand it-neither is this an official forum-its simply a plaything for us armchair managers.

 

I agree SSS that the club don't always get it right-do any of us ?-but do you think upon reflection sss you are being a bit harsh on this occasion ?

[BlueGate Alan]

Spot on Michael.

[Wellsie]

Spot on. The club will never announce player movements until the ink is dry. Remember just 2 weeks ago Liam H was a done deal according to people on here. There are enough examples of player movements going wrong for teams this year!

[BlueGate Alan]

That was because on the night Wellsie we had been told he had signed but as you say these things happen all the time and always will.

[michael]

Notwithstanding whether this is a deal or not -and just an april fool -my gut feel remains that it is an anticipated signing-especially as maidstone signed a ready made replacement a week ago in Royston -and in the process probably lowered their costs.

It seems unlikely that they would want two grizzly central defenders.

 

As wellsie suggests though-if the cat is out of the bag- and thus a delay- and there is a mix up over the signing/approach-could we get gazumped again.

 

I wonder if he will be at training tonight ?

 

I bet it was'nt like this managing wales !!

[Heathside]

Originally Posted By: michaelmichael

No comment on the Maidstone official site either-so why 'criticise' Margate ?

There was a mightly annoyed rant about it in our programme by our chairman at Tuesdays game saying you've tapped him up. Lewis is currently in "limbo" apparently.

Though could have been resolved by now.

[seasidesteve]

its not just this but we never get an update on anything that sreally what i mean so no i dont think harsh is correct mm

[michael]

I read in the T Times some comments from Mr Piper giving some clarity on this matter,and whilst admitting that TY/NS were in the wrong (bet TY did'nt even know what a 7 day approach is-you don't have to consider that when you are manager of wales !)it also seems that there is a differnet angle to the bigger picture than given out by maidstone-and that Maidstone were well aware of the situation in advance of the tuesday and could have done alot more to assist the situation.

It seems they heldback to see if that would get lewis to change his mind.

 

Overall-it seems both clubs were'nt too clever in the situation.

 

At least the srticle confirms that lewis has indseed signed for next season aswell