PAUL McCARTHY AND MARK RICKETTS SIGN NEW CONTRACTS AT EBBSFLEET UNITED…

Ebbsfleet United’s FA Trophy-winning skipper Paul McCarthy has laid to rest any rumours of imminent retirement by signing a new one-year contract at Stonebridge Road. The former Brighton and Wycombe defender, who joined the Fleet in November 2004, will be 37 when the 2008-09 season kicks off but his appetite for the game remains undiminished. Having notched his 129th appearance for the Fleet at Wembley, Macca aims to nudge his record nearer the 200-mark while also maintaining an active role behind the scenes in his capacity as youth coach.

Another defender who has put pen to paper is 23-year-old Mark Ricketts, the former Charlton youth player who joined the Fleet from The Valley in August 2006 and will expect to pass the 100-appearances post during the coming season.