Todays B&W Times, some interesting reading

[cm7]

Bought the B&W Times earlier and ignore the pointless articles on teenagers throwing jelly around in Great Notley and turn straight to the back page!

It makes for interesting reading as it says Rod is hoping to bring in keeper Olli Morris-Sanders and striker Sherwin Stanley both from Aveley.

It also reads that we fought off competition from Ryman Premier side Margate for Martin Touhy.

The more interesting part of the back-page article is where is sheds some light on who is staying with us for next season. It reads 'First-Team Coach Brad Quinton, Sean Marks, Nathan McDonald, Robbie Martin, Phil Starkey and Tom Bruno are all set to stay at Cressing Road'.
Brilliant News. But wasnt Starkey released by Garvey, he's since been playing for Tonbridge Angles but was released by them too so maybe Rod has got him back.

It carries on: 'Stringer also wants to hang on to Adam Bailey-Dennis and Michael Power. However Mark Jones and Joe Bruce are still considering their futures'.
No surprise due to the amount of defenders we have signed.

The final two pieces that stood out for me read:
'Rikki Burbirgde, who was one of former manager Robbie Garvey's final signings has also left. He has rejoined former club AFC Hornchurch'.
AND
'We're looking to keep a squad of 22 and 20 and then have a group of around 16, with some loaned out or given dual registrations'

[nade1234]

No mention of the immediate future of George Purcell in the mighty tome?

[cm7]

It did say Rod hopes to keep hold of him, but as people have said various times. He is under contract so any team would have to pay a fee for him

[stevea]

To confirm - it did say that Rod was hoping to keep George. The club aways quote their policy about players under contract like George, saying they will not stand in their way if they get offers from a higher league. We can't say farer than that, so lets hope we do not get any offers from a selfish perspective.

I hope Mark Jones & Jo Bruce decided to sign up again. They are both excellent players & Jo would be the rock in our defence if it was down to me.

Cant say Burbridge did it for me so another season for him back at Hornchurch is best all round.

There are still some names that have not been mentioned to my knowledge & it would be good to have some confirmations about:
Mat Game
Reece Harris
Ryan Peters
Bertie Brayley
Dumas

[4whatitsworth]

Agree with you stevea in hoping both Joe Bruce and Jonah sign up for another season. I was surprised to see Phil Starkey, Tom Bruno and Robbie Martin have been retained. By my reckoning Starkey was selected to start on only 2 occasions last year and was an unused sub several times the last time in Dec09. Tom Bruno was selected to start 6 times mainly when Brad was unwell. Robbie Martin for me is not the player he was and other BSS sides (H&W etc) have released him. With regard to Reece, Ryan and Matt all of who performed well last season lets hope we soon get good news that they have re-signed.

[cm7]

4whatitsworth, I'll disagree with you on Bruno. I thought he'd stay as hes only 17/18 and could go onto be a very good player for us, I'd loan him out to the Ryman leagues this season, possibly Sudbury where alot of youngsters went last season.

I'm guessing Starkey is a 'new signing' after being released by Garvey and signing for Tonbridge.

[Iron In Me Blood]

As I understand Starkey was dual registered so as a player under 24 and registered to us as his main club we still hold his registration

[castIRONgooner]

How fit was Robbie when he came back?? Think a good solid preseason and we will see the flying winger of old. How about Holmes from chelmsford on the other flank??? All not well at chelsmsford, reading the chronicle he was retained then released so that he could move to a bigger club as they were being put off by chelsmford's demands for him, when asked who had put in approach's for him, the answer was no one?? Mr Holmes not happy with the BIG city club!!

[cm7]

Ricky Holmes coming here? Absolutely no chance

Dagenham, Brentford, AFC Wimbledon and various other clubs are all interested and he's trained at Dagenham. I also spotted him behind the dug-out sat with Daggers players at Wembley. It's only a matter of time before some club higher up snaps him up, but it certainly wont be us. If it is I'll happily buy every supporter to post on here a drink.

[ontheterrace]

We won't need Ricky Holmes if Reece signs. He's still inconsistant but still in his teens and can only get better. Same with Bruno. I agree with cm7. I thought he showed promise when he was in the team. Again, can only improve. And I agree with Stevea about Joe Bruce. He looked shaky when he first came but improved greatly and now, as Steve says, he's a rock. Also impressed with Matt Game, so let's hope we keep him too.

[cm7]

Game might end up retiring. Remember an article in the B&W a while back saying he signed for Braintree due to wanting to play his possible last season in football at the highest possible level.

He shouldnt be playing now really because of all the pins in his leg and the very high chance of him getting arthirits (spelling!?) in the next few years.

[ontheterrace]

No, I didnt know that. that's sad. Well, he went out on a good season if he does have to retire. He'd be wise not to risk getting arthritis (looked it up in the dictionary!)

[stevea]

As I now understand Reece Harris & Tom Bruno are youngsters & cannot go to another club without us receiving a fee. Hopefully they will both be with us next season.
It would be nice to get some confirmation about Mat Game. I suspect it looks like we will have to wait on tender hooks for Mark Jones & Joe Bruce to make up thier minds.

[cm7]

If Tom and Reece were on non-contract terms with us they can move on without a free being paid. If they were under contract (I would imagine they were) then yes a fee would have to be paid in compensation if we offered them a deal which they chose to reject to sign for a new club.