Senior League summer transfers so far

With the start of the 2017-18 Essex Senior League season just a month away, plenty of clubs have been releasing news of signings for the coming year. With the Essex Senior League website not updated for 2017-18, there’s no way of confirming if these players have actually signed, and a lot can change in a month, but here’s some of the movers and shakers this summer so far.

Barkingside

Following the departure of Gus Gulfer, former Clapton boss Mike Walther takes over the reigns at Cricklefield. Speaking on the appointment, Barkingside Chairman Jimmy Flannagan said “I apologise that once again the position has not been advertised, it’s not because I’m arrogant etc. It’s because one of the main things for me is if I feel comfortable with the person, and in addition to being someone who has a lot of ability and contacts, I feel comfortable when I speak with Michael.”

Walther will be joined on the bench by Scott Wallace and former Clapton player Leon Lewis.

Basildon United

It’s been another summer of upheaval at the Stuart Bingham Stadium, as Aron Bloxham was relieved of his duties despite finishing a credible 9th in his first season in the ESL. Taking over are the former Basildon Town management team Mark Harrison and Liam Wallace. Former Bees assistant manager Lee Connor has also been appointed the club’s new chairman.

Their most recent signings are Billy Holmes, who made one appearance for Ebbsfleet United in the National League South last season, Lewis Moore who made 19 appearances for Thurrock reserves, and perhaps most notably, Matt Brinklow, who scored five goals in 36 games for Hullbridge Sports last season.

Ben Smith, Grant Cumming, Charlie Kendall, Charlie Pardoe, Chris Charlery, Jack Main, Ibrahim Ka, Joe Burgess, Selby Knight, Marcus Bowers, Tom Barton, Darren Phillips, Connor Wheatley – essentially Basildon Town’s double-winning squad from last season.

Burnham Ramblers

It has all been very quiet down in deepest Essex. Ramblers will be looking to improve on a 2016-17, where they finished second-bottom with 21 points.

Clapton

Despite some uncertainty about Clapton’s ability to play at the Old Spotted Dog this season (See Twohunderedpercent’s excellent round-up here), Jon Fowell has been busy recruiting following the exit of some influential players like Johnny Ashman, Jay Knight and Dylan Ebengo.

Jeffrey Cobblah (most recently with Jolof Sports in the Essex Alliance, where he scored 31 goals in 25 game last season), Mustafa Kahie (has ESL experience with London APSA and Sporting Bengal) and Jordan Meikle, who has plenty of Senior League games under his belt with Sporting Bengal United and Enfield amongst others, has also signed. Craig Heskey, who scored four goals for a struggling Burnham Ramblers last season has joined, as well as Caiden Imbert-Thomas who was with Letherhead Under 21s last year, goalkeeper Mark Kavanagh and defender Josh Flynn.

Enfield 1893

Waltham Forest’s former managers Matt Hanning and Terry Fogarty remain in charge at the Es, and they’ve been joined by former Eton Manor boss Tony Stavri, who has been charged with player recruitment – so expect to see plenty of former Manor players at Enfield this season.

FC Romania

As is common for FC Romania, there has been little news of any signings over the summer.

Great Wakering Rovers

Recently-relegated Rovers have come out fighting, with chairman John Galley saying “Our immediate aim is to win promotion at the first attempt. Nevertheless, we know that the ESL offers a tough challenge. There are several sides with the same aspirations as us, we have to be respectful and mindful of that.”

And Rovers favourite Iain O’connell will have a budget to work with this season: “We knew we would be spending next season in the Essex Senior League. However, the manager and Director of Football, Dave Patient, have had an opportunity to see what we’ve got and prepare.”. There has not yet been any news of signings.

Hackney Wick

Hackney Wick ‘merged’ with London Bari over the summer, but it seems little remains of the former Bari set-up. Indeed, Bari captain Simpson Mpalampa and striker Hassan Nalbant have remained, but there are still doubts around Wick’s ability to play at the Old Spotted Dog (see Clapton).

Hullbirdge Sports

Hullbridge play Bowers & Pitsea on the 8th of July in their first friendly, but it has all been quiet at Lower Road.

Redbridge

Dave Ross stepped down as joint-manager, and Ricky Eaton will be joined by former AFC Hornchurch midfielder Joey May. The Motormen have been extremely busy over the summer, and seem to be stockpiling players at an alarming rate. Former Forest striker Brian Moses (pictured above) has signed for another term, while Abs Thompson joins from AFC Hornchurch. Eljay Worrell rejoins the club where he previously played 45 times scoring 6 goals and Remi Nelson drops down from Romford.

Charlie Dove, a Peterborough United scholar joins, as do midfielder Vinny Murphy and powerful striker Calvin Poku. Sipho Mtyanda has made the switch from Ilford, while goalkeeper Richie Robbins – who impressed with Clapton last season – has joined the club. A number of players from last season have also re-signed.

Sawbridgeworth Town, Southend Manor, Sporting Bengal United, Stansted, Takeley

There’s very little news coming from any of these clubs, though Takeley have signed former Stansted captain Matt Gill.

Tower Hamlets

Former Barking and Ilford striker Wale Odedoyun has made the move to Mile End Stadium, where AJ Ashinike returns for another spell as manager.

Wadham Lodge

James Falaise remains in charge at the Lodge, but there is little news on signings, or who is on the new committee at the club.

Waltham Forest

Pre-season training is well underway at Forest, and our first friendly is against Aveley next Saturday. The wheels are well in motion behind the scenes, so news of new signings and some returns will be released shortly.

West Essex

It’s all quiet down at Mayesbrook Park, where West Essex will be looking to build on an excellent debut season in the ESL.

Woodford Town 2017

Former Waltham Forest and Wadham Lodge manager Tony Ievoli will be taking over at Woodford Town (who played as Haringey & Waltham last season). Town do not appear to have any online presence yet, but expect to see plenty of familiar faces down at the Terry Mac.