Three in at Stow
Pre-season periods in non-league can often be turbulent times, with the revolving door to players spinning.
But this summer has been a bit more quiet in E17. Manager Vinny Murphy has managed to keep the vast majority of his squad together, with Ryan Hervel the only confirmed departure so far; though Watford loanee Roraigh Browne’s loan also came to an end.
This has meant that only a few new players have been needed.
First in is goalkeeper Lewis Greene, who has been a mainstay between step four sticks over the last seven seasons. After a long spell at Rebridge, he won the Essex Senior league with Hullbridge Sports where he remained for four seasons, before spending last season with Brightlingsea Regent.
This will in fact be Greene’s second spell at Stow, having played four games in his formative years here, back in 2016.
Louis Johnson is the second man in, fresh from winning the Essex Senior Cup at Redbridge. The box-to-box midfielder was part of the Enfield side that won the Essex Senior League, and spent the early part of last season at Bedford Town. Johnson has always impressed when playing against Stow, so it will be great to see him on the right side at Wadham Lodge.
Finally, Bobby Rea is a young full-back or forward who joins from the AFC Sudbury academy. He was a key player there, driving them to cup glory. While playing for Sudbury’s academy in the week, he spent the weekends playing for Stowmarket, where he was one of the stand-out players, despite Stowmarket’s difficult season.
We welcome them all to the club, and hope they have a long and enjoyable stay here.