Former Dartford winger Ryan Hayes signs for Southern Counties East side Chatham Town
Published: 11:00, 08 July 2020
Updated: 11:09, 08 July 2020
Chatham Town have added another big-name signing to their ranks.
Former Dartford winger Ryan Hayes has agreed to join them for the 2020/21 season.
Hayes spent 13 years with the Darts before a shorter second spell after leaving briefly for Concord Rangers.
In January the ‘wing-wizard’ linked up with Isthmian League side Sevenoaks Town on a dual reg from Dartford, who he had re-joined in October 2018.
Hayes first signed for the Darts from former Kent League side Slade Green in 2005 and went onto play a key role in the club's progression to the top of the non-league scene under Tony Burman.
He won three promotions at Dartford and scored more than 100 goals. Last summer he spoke of the highs and some dark days too when he featured on the KM Football Podcast.
Hayes is one of several high profile signings for the Medway side who have been earning plaudits during the Covid-19 crisis for their relentless community work.
Manager Scott Lindsey, meanwhile, has been building a squad capable of winning promotion from the Southern Counties East, Premier Division.
Some of their summer signings include another former Dartford player, Andy Pugh, and prolific Sheppey United hit-man Dan Bradshaw. Lindsey has also added defender Chris Lawal from Tunbridge Wells and midfielder Jack Healey from Corinthian.
Their retained list was headed by goal-scoring captain Jack Evans.
The club, meanwhile, have revealed plans to build a new terrace at their Maidstone Road ground.
More by this author
Luke Cawdell