Foley brings six players with him to Chatham

Thursday 10th June 2010

NEW Chatham Town boss Paul Foley has unveiled his first player signings since talking over as manager, writes Mike Green.

Foley has already confirmed that Kevin Watson has signed up as new player-coach, and the club have unveiled that five former VCD Athletic players have signed for the Chats.

Goalkeeper James Tedder returns to Maidstone Road, and he is joined by striker Danny Penny (who will also be the club’s new captain), midfielder Gary Ward who will be the club’s vice captain, winger Nick Hegley, who was VCD’s top scorer last season, and the vastly experienced full back Jason Barton.

“I’m delighted to be able to formally announce this first batch of signings,” Foley told www.chathamtownfc.net.

“James has signed for us in preference to an offer he received from another Ryman side – he has been my first choice for a keeper since the day I took over and I am very pleased he decided to turn down a very good offer from elsewhere.

“Danny was my skipper at VCD and is a strong and skilful forward who will give the side its focal point, bringing others into the game.

“Gary will be Danny’s vice captain and is an extremely hard working and skilful midfielder who played over 300 times for the Oakwood club.

“Heggers was one of the first to agree to come to Maidstone Road despite having other offers on the table. Not only was he VCD’s top scorer but also the Players’ Player, and is really up for the challenge.

“Nick is a locally based player from Maidstone that should probably be playing Blue Square South football and in fact a club from that league tried to sign him last season.

“He cannot commit to that amount of travelling though due to work and anyway, he loves it with us!

“Last but not least, Jason has one of the best attitudes around and will do a fine job for us as he has at every club he has been at, I’m delighted that he has signed as I know there were other clubs looking to get his signature.

“All in all, I’m delighted to have with the first foundations of the squad, and am looking forward to meeting with the rest of the squad, especially those who played for Chatham last year over the weekend.

“We have asked some of the squad from last year to come back for pre-season training and hopefully they’ll like what we have to say and again put pen to paper for the club.

“I can confirm however that there will be more new signings to come, as well as the lads we want to keep on.

“These six will be the first of many to wear the red of Chatham Town for the first time and I am happy with how the squad is shaping up.

“Obviously we will be looking to retain players like Ashley Probets, who I know well from his time at VCD, and the likes of Matt Solly and Brad Potter among others but we should be able to confirm all of these soon.”

But two players, goalkeeper Richard Stroud, and midfielder James Lyons have already departed and have both signed for Kent League side Erith & Belvedere.

Article courtesy of www.chathamtownfc.net