FORMER Kingstonian and England goalkeeper Steve Farrelly has signed for Ryman League club Hampton and Richmond after having his contract terminated by Farnborough (writes TONY FLOOD).

Hampton's new manager Ian McDonald, who was assistant to Geoff Chapple during Farrelly's time at Kingstonian, has expressed his delight at signing Farrelly and says he will handle him differently from Farnborough manager Graham Westley.

McDonald declares: "Steve is a major capture and will take over from Stuart McKenzie, the former Farnborough keeper. I phoned Stuart to tell him that I didn't need him because I signed Steve.

"Farrelly fell out with Westley who wanted him to go on scouting missions for him while he was unable to play through a knee injury. At the age of 38 I don't think Steve needed to be driving up and down motorways looking at other players when his knee was sore."

The Hampton boss adds: "Steve has had a problem with his knees for some time yet Graham had him doing long runs in pre-season. That's the last thing I would have suggested.

"When Steve was with me at Kingstonian we left him to decide how much training he could do. He kept himself fit and helped Ks to win two FA Trophies as well as being England's No.1 keeper.

"Steve now has the chance to take up a new challenge and prove wrong those people who thought he could no longer perform at a high level. He has taken a pay cut in order to play for me and we have agreed a one-year contract."

McDonald has also signed 33-year-old midfielder Steve Moss from Newport, Isle of Wight. He comments: "Moss has plenty of experience and should be a good addition. Both he and Steve are free transfers, which is just as well because Hampton have no money to spend. I am now looking to add a few more players to the squad as the only members of Hampton's team last season who are still under contract are Fiston Manuella and Ronnie Girvan."

McDonald says some of last season's Hampton team, including striker Paul de Luca, have said they will come to training, but fellow striker Raphael Nade has not contacted him.

July 17, 2002 15:30