Croydon is the next stop for much-travelled Sodje

CROYDON have unveiled the signing of three new players tonight, including former Ashford Town striker Steve Sodje, 30, writes Stephen McCartney.

Manager/chairman Dickson Gill has also signed French pair, central midfielder Winfred Gnaly and left-back Harry Vitalien from their Kent League rivals Greenwich Borough.

The pair join their former Boro’ team-mates, defender Dave Waters, winger Ben Yiadom and striker Mohammed Badar at the Croydon Sports Arena.

All five were instrumental in helping the Harrow Meadow outfit to reach the last sixteen of the FA Carlsberg Vase last season.

And Gill is delighted to bring much-travelled striker Sodje, whose recent clubs include Tonbridge Angels, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Ashford Town and Metropolitan Police, to the club.

“He’s quite experienced, what we’re looking for,” Gill told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“He’s the right age, we’re looking at to strengthen the team.

“He can play up front, play out on the left-wing, he’s got a lot of quality about him.

“It’s better when you have got players that are versatile and can play in different positions. That gives you strength and we’re happy to sign him.”

Intelligent Gnaly, a speaker of many languages, will add strength to the middle of the park, according to Gill.

He said: “He’s caught my eye every time we’ve played (against) him. He’s very skilful and he’s a good passer of the ball.

“I enquired about him and then waited to the end (of last season) and I’m glad to have signed him really.

“He’s another one we needed in that (central midfield) area as we were a bit lightweight in there last year.”

Gill, meanwhile, revealed former Dulwich Hamlet left-back Harry Vitalien insisted on a move to Surrey with his former team-mates.

“He played left-back against us and he was outstanding,” praised the Croydon chief.

“He asked to come to join us, him and the other guy and I said yes, why not.

“We’re happy with their attitude, they’re two committed lads and we’re happy to sign players who want to come to us.

“That’s a good plus for Croydon with the number of lads who came and went last year, we’re happy to sign them.”

Gill admitted that he’s looking forward to working with five players who are all familiar with each other.

“It shows they want to be together,” he said. “They want to play with their mates and feel comfortable coming to the club.

“They can see that clubs ambition and we’re looking to build from what we did last year, especially with the way we finished. We finished quite well so we hope to continue that.”

Gill also revealed that favourites Bronek Dabrowa and Ollie Young have put pen to paper to remain with the club.

He said: “Bronek, who was our player-of-the-year and managers player-of-the-year, got a terrific trophy and he’s happy to come back and sign for us.

“Ollie Young, who was with us for the last three years, he’s signed for us - we’re slowly building up a half decent team.”

Gill also revealed that he’s negotiating with the owners of their home ground to be able to play two pre-season friendlies at Croydon Sports Arena next summer.

“The council have the running tracks down there and the running doesn’t finish until late but next year we will be playing a minimum of two at least,” he explained.

“I’m trying to negotiate with them, that’s one of my jobs, I’ve got a lot on but we’re getting there.

“Gaps seem to appear over the years (to play home friendlies) and everyone else takes preference to Croydon but we’re slowly taking control of that situation.

“The ground is leased to us but the thing is because the club’s been in a bad situation over the last few years everyone’s taking advantage over the club - but we’re fighting the case and we’re getting there.”

Gill will be working with twenty players when they report back to pre-season training on 1^st July and a new physio has been appointed.

Steve Noad, who has moved to the area, sent his CV to a couple of other Kent League clubs but Gill is pleased to have enticed him to the South Norwood based club.

Meanwhile, former Greenwich Borough joint-manager Terry Malin, gave his expert opinion on the five players that have now moved to Croydon.

Malin was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk ahead of Boro’s two FA Carlsberg Vase ties against Hungerford Town four months ago.

Dave Waters: A solid centre-half, captain of the side, a great leader. He leads from the front, heart on his sleeve, leads the team very well. I’d like to be in the trenches with him.

Harry Vitalien: He’s French, don’t know much about him but he played for a second division club in France, we have Googled him. We got him from Dulwich Hamlet, he’s a very quiet Frenchman who doesn’t speak any English - Wilfred Gnaly can translate. He’s a cultured left-back I would say.

Ben Yiadom: An English, little pocket, five footed dynamo. I would say, in my opinion, there’s not much better in this league. Great one touch, great long and short passer. Just a great player. When he’s in the team we’re a better side.

Badar Mohammed: Top scorer from Yemen. Has come on leaps and bounds. This time last year he was top scorer for the reserves and since he’s come into the first team he hasn’t stopped scoring. Now knows where he needs to be on the pitch and popped up to score the winner against Harefield.

Wilfred Gnaly: He’s our Frenchman and he translates for most people. He can speak French and most other languages. He’s only 23, a young boy who plays a central midfield holding role. Superb, a great engine, great passer, breaks up other side’s attacks and starts us playing. He’s had a great season. A very deep thinker about football.

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