Farnborough FC

Popular return: Michael Charles is coming back to Farnborough
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Farnborough look back to ease striker shortage

By Jon Couch
February 09, 2012

CROWD favourites Michael Charles and Nic Ciardini look set to make a popular return to Cherrywood Road to help ease Farnborough’s relegation fears.

Striker Charles rejoined the club on an initial month’s loan from AFC Totton on Wednesday night to help solve a striker crisis at the club.

And he is due set to be joined by fellow local boy Ciardini, after Boro boss Spencer Day put in a seven-day approach for the wide man.

Charles, who starred in Totton’s FA Cup run earlier this season, answered Day’s SOS for a striker after the boss was left without a recognised frontman for this Saturday’s visit of Dover Athletic, with loanees Reece Connolly and Ola Sogbanmu having returned to their parent clubs and Phillip Page unavailable through work commitments.

Now boss Day is hoping to land the pair permanently.

“Michael was very keen to come back,” Day explained. “What I like about him is that he absolutely works his socks off and that’s my typre of player.

“I’m never particularly emotional when it comes to old players coming back but he was a fans’ favourite for a reason and he score goals, so I’m delighted to have got him.”

As for Ciardini, he added: “I’ve put in a seven-day for him and I’m hopeful. He has a few work issues but I’m hoping we can get around those and get him on board as soon as possible because he ticks the same boxes as Michael when it comes to workrate.”

Day also revealed he missed out on a deal to bring a third ex-Farnborough player back to Cherrywood Road after being outbid by Bromley to sign Michael Malcolm from Lewes, despite being told the deal was done.

Day also admitted losing out on Bognor Regis goal machine Jason Prior, who eventually moved to League Two AFC Wimbledon in a deal believed to be worth around £15,000.

“I've been very disappointed with the way the player situation has worked out, it’s been a frustrating time,” he went on.

“I’d been chasing Michael Malcolm for about three weeks after he was transfer-listed by Lewes.

"I spoke to him and he said he wanted to come back but we just did not have the money that Lewes wanted for him and Bromley did.”

But despite going public in his search for a striker, Day has warned players and rival clubs that he will not buy for the sake of buying and will not stretch beyond the restraints of the club’s shoestring budget.

“I’m not willing to spend money the club hasn’t got on the wrong player,” he added. “I could sign six or seven strikers in the next hour but I won't if they are not right for us.

“There are too many players who want to come in for a month or two just to pick up a pay cheque, I don't want people like that, I want someone who's fully committed to playing for this club and is willing to stand up and be counted.”

Day has a very proud home record to protect this weekend – the best in Blue Square South since he took over at Cherrywood Road with Boro having won four and drawn one of their five matches.

But with Aldershot duo Connolly and Doug Bergqvist having gone back, not to mention Sogbanmu, the Boro boss knows continuing that against the Dover will be a tough proposition.

“They are pushing for the play-offs and are a quality side,” he added.

“But we have every reason to be confident given our recent record and have nothing to fear, especially at home.”

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