FOOTBALL.

BRAND NAMES BATTLE TO SPONSOR KS TEAM KIT.

Sponsors, strikers, and yet more celebrations dominated talk at Kingsmeadow this week.

As Kingstonian's double heroes showed off the silverware at a civic reception at the Guildhall on Monday night, sponsored by the Comet, rumours abounded that three top names are in the running to sponsor the team's shirts next season.

No decision has been made. But the Comet understands Kellogg's Special K is one, KFC another, and mobile phone company Ericsson the third.

Whichever one wins, it will be a welcome financial boost for Chapple as he looks to strengthen the squad.

Top of the shopping list is another striker to help the ageing Dave Leworthy.

The 34 year old, bought last year for £18,000, was top scorer with 29 goals. But the Conference will be tougher, he'll be older, and Chapple believes he may not be as prolific a strike man in the higher division.

"I'm sure he'll do well, but there may be times when he'll need a rest," explained the Ks boss.

Chapple, a self-confessed fan of tall goalkeepers, will also be looking to bring in someone with a few more inches to join the diminutive Jerome John.

He stresses the new signing will be an "addition to" rather than a replacement for John, but accepts the temptation for Conference sides to pump high balls into the box to exploit his lack of height could put unwanted pressure on the Ks defence.

See next week's Comet for news of new signings, and the name of Dennis Rofe's replacement.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.