Ks favourite Dean Hooper left the club this week to join Third Division Peterborough, moving with the blessing of manager Geoff Chapple.

Hooper, who played for the England semi-pro team last season, will be a big loss to a Kingstonian squad just eight days away from the big Conference kick-off against Hereford.

He joined Peterborough, managed by Chapple's old friend Barry Fry, on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The Ks boss said: "I'm sad to lose Dean because he's very talented but I'm glad he's going into the pro game."

Hooper follows former captain Terry Evans in leaving the double-winning Ks. Evans has joined Wycombe as youth team coach.

Jimmy Dack, who has played in a number of pre-season friendlies, will not be coming to Kingstonian because, according to Chapple, he couldn't even be bothered to turn up for last Saturday's game against Leyton Orient.

The former Sutton midfielder, who "wasn't particularly happy that he wasn't going to get a start" in all the pre-season fixtures, was declared surplus to requirements following his no-show and has now signed for Aldershot Town.

Geoff Chapple has said he will make three or four signings of his own over the weekend.

New boys Nando Perna and Gavin Holligan, who shared the goals as Kingstonian beat Hampton on Tuesday night, have both impressed the Ks manager.

He is "hopeful" of snapping up the two 18 year olds and will also be talking to Mark Harris and Simon Stewart over the weekend in the hope of securing their services.

Dean Holness is less likely to sign for Kingstonian because Chapple has been deterred by Dulwich Hamlet's asking price.

Former Norwich City, Tottenham and Swindon defender Ian Culverhouse will play in tonight's friendly against Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow and the Ks manager thinks there is a "reasonable" chance that he will commit himself to the Conference new boys.

He will perm one from the three keepers he has tried out in pre-season to partner Jerome John.

Gary Germaine made his first appearance against Hampton on Tuesday night just 24 hours after stepping off a plane from America. But Chapple is also keen to take another look at Nick Webb and Nick Rust before he finally decides.

q Kingstonian take on what is likely to be a full-strength Wimbledon tonight, Friday, at Kingsmeadow. Kick-off 7.45pm.

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