13thoct04

Familiar faces want local bragging rights

THERE is a fascinating "side issue" in Saturday's big local derby Go Travel Kent League clash between Thamesmead Town and Slade Green, writes Martin Wiseman.

Slade Green have no fewer than thirteen ex-Thamesmead players on their books this season, most of whom will be in action, come Saturday, against their old club.

The number of Green members with ex "Mead" connections rises to fifteen if you include Slade Green's management team of Terry Malin and Phil Miles.

At the same time, however, there is a strong Green connection within the Thamesmead ranks in the shape of players Peter Deadman and Pedro Knight.

On top of this former Slade Green manager Steve Wait is on the coaching staff at the Bayliss Avenue club while Thamesmead physio Alan Martin held a similar position at The Small Glen from 1995 to 1998.

Meanwhile, Ray Merridan, father of Mead defender Marc, was a Kent League Cup winner with Slade Green back in 1983.

The influx of players moving between both club's has been a common trend dating back to 1995 when Micky Watts stepped down from his post as Thamesmead boss to take over at The Green taking him such players as Kelly Penfold, Paul Mitchell and of course current Green manager Phil Miles, although he originally signed for the Green from Dartford as a teenager back in 1985.

Last season, Pedro Knight, Tony Gallagher and Dave Martin parted company with Slade Green to link up with Thamesmead, however, this season Gallagher and Martin have returned to The Green along with Wayne Barrett who switched clubs in 1999 going onto win the Kent League Cup and Kent Senior Trophy with them.

It is little wonder that this fixture has become one of the most keenly contested and fiercely competitive matches on the Kent League calendar.

It could be quite a clash at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday.

Thamesmead Town v Slade Green
Saturday 16 October 2004
Go Travel Kent League Premier Division
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead