Transfer updates: 30/6/11 – 7/7/11
Chatham Town: Chatham have been busy recently, and have added a couple of former favourites to their squad. Matt Solly has re-joined the club from Erith and Belvedere and Ryan Laker has committed to the club after finishing off with the Chats last season.
Cheshunt: Striker Ryan Wade, defender Matt Turpin and midfielders Sam Ruff and Jimmie Berry have all signed on at Theobalds Lane, with other Ware players training with the team. In addition, star striker Chris Meikle has returned this year for pre-season training with the hope of playing more games thanks to lessening work commitments
Harlow Town: Harlow have become the latest side to suffer at the hands of a player going back on a verbal agreement, and this time it was the turn of young stopper Elliott Justham. Justham, who played for Forest in the 2008-9 season, has signed for Brentwood Town, claiming that due to work commitments, he is unable to travel to Harlow for evening matches. Hawks boss Danny Chapman has come out saying: “I’m really disappointed he’s not coming. He rang me last Thursday and said he was not coming back because he works nights and he felt for evening games it would be difficult for him to get to work on time. I asked him if he was not playing football why has he signed for Brentwood.
“There is hardly any difference between where we are and Brentwood. He’s a young lad and he’s got a very big future – if he does things properly. I’ve heard he wasn’t sure whether he was going to be number one or number two.
“I assured him he was going to be my number one next season. I think whether the club was too big for him, I don’t know. We wish him all the best, there are no grudges. It’s his decision at the end of the day.”
The news will hurt Harlow as they have also lost last season’s number 1, James Hasell, who has taken a year out of the game.
Maldon & Tiptree: The Essex side have continued their summer of impressive signings, as striker Neil Cousins signs from problem-struck Rushden and Diamonds. Cousins only played a handful of matches for Diamonds in an injury-hit spell, but has reportedly turned down offers higher up the pyramid to join Maldon.
Redbridge: Terry Spillane’s relentless summer has continued with the signing of 19-year-old Stuart Hepburn, who joins from Hullbridge Sports in the Essex Senior League. Interest has continued in last season’s ESL top scorer Dwight Gayle, who has recently been on train with Dagenham and Redbridge. The club also went on to sign former Polish under-18 international Jonathan Gioracki and Jonathan Whetstone from Hullbridge Sports. Redbridge have also announced that next season they will be playing in red and black, in an attempt to further reflect the borough they play in.
Romford: Romford have made South Korean Hyun-Jin Lee their first singing of the summer. Lee joins from Redbridge where he was a key fixture in their squad last season.
Ware: After an early mass exodus of players, Ware manager Stuart Nethercott has been busy rebuilding his squad. The latest player to commit for the coming season is Jack Friend who initially signed for Ware from ground tenants Wodson Park in March.
Meanwhile, Aiden Mynott has stepped down as Ware chairman, and has been replaced by local businessman Mick Clarke.
