Cable still in two minds about his future - EXCLUSIVE

Thamesmead Town manager Keith McMahon has placed another piece into his promotion chasing jigsaw, with the capture of Lew Watts, writes Stephen McCartney.

Watts, 33, was released by his home-town club Dartford last month, and was expected to sign for Mead’s Kent League rivals, Erith & Belvedere.

But after playing a couple of pre-season friendlies for Thamesmead Town, the former Welling United, Gravesend & Northfleet, Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United central defender, who can also play in the middle of the park, has opted to sign for the Bayliss Avenue club, on non-contracted terms.

McMahon admitted EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that capturing Watts was a “massive” signing for the club.

He said: “I’ve spoken to him, he’s a friend of mine anyway, but he’s liked the way the club’s progressing.

“He’s played for us a couple of games, and he’s been impressed, even thought we’ve been missing four or five players, but he’s enjoyed it, he’s put pen to paper, which is a massive signing for the club.”

Watts has the experience to keep things calm at the back, whilst Thamesmead, one of the best footballing sides in the league, cause damage at the other end of the pitch.

“He’s something we needed,” McMahon admitted. “To have someone of Lew’s quality, whose been there, seen it, done it, is a massive thing for us.

“The youngsters we’ve got (will be) built around him (and) they’re just going to learn from Lew.”

Meanwhile, striker Rikki Cable has yet decided where he’ll be playing his football when the new season kick’s off next month.

And McMahon wants the former Faversham Town striker to decide between him and Dartford manager, Tony Burman.

“If Rikki wants to go to Dartford, Dartford want him, then we’ll come to some sort of agreement,” explained McMahon.

“If Dartford don’t want him, Rikki will stay here and if he doesn’t want to go, Rikki will stay here.

“So hopefully from my point of view, if I’m selfish, I want Rikki to stay, but I’ve said I won’t stand in the lad’s way, so we’ll have a chat.”

McMahon will need to sit down with club officials if the Ryman League Division One North giants want to make a bid for the player.

“We haven’t decided anything yet as a committee,” said McMahon. “I’ve just helped the lad forward, but I do think there will be something on his travelling as well, because he’s about to come a dad, so I don’t think he wants to go all over the place.

“But we’ll have a chat Thursday, after the Fisher game, whatever’s best for Rikki and whatever he wants to do, I’ll back him 100%.”

Visit Club Websites:

www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Thamesmead Town v Fisher Athletic
Pre-Season Friendly
Thursday 26^th July 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ