I am relishing the chance to be part of a hugely ambitious club, says Jamie Lawrence

TUDOR SPORTS manager Aaron Perry has pulled off a major transfer coup by signing former Jamaican international Jamie Lawrence.



Perry has taken charge of the NRG Gyms Kent County League Premier Division club this summer and has tonight unveiled the arrival of a player who has vast experience in the higher echelons of the game.

Lawrence, 44, who has 24 caps for his country, has previously played for the likes of Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Bradford City, Walsall, Wigan Athletic, Grimsby Town and Brenford before dropping down into the non-league game.

He remains on the coaching staff at Conference South side Sutton United, where he helped Paul Doswell’s side finish runners-up last season before losing to Dover Athletic in the play-off semi-finals.

Perry said: “He’s come to the club, he’s involved with Sutton United as well. He’s signed for us as well. He’ll do bits with the boys and give us a bit of experience around the club really.

“It’s a massive coup, absolutely massive. We tried to sign him for Milton & Fulston (when I was manager there) but we couldn’t agree terms but this is a massive statement by the club in the direction that we want to move forward in.

“I believe he’s on the coaching staff at Sutton United but for when he plays for us, he’ll come on top (striker) for us and he’ll have an important role behind the scenes as well as on the pitch.

“We speak quite a lot and we’ve got a good relationship and he’s going to help the club move to where we want to go really.

“As a club we’re trying to move forward.  I know him and he’s coming to do me a favour really. He knows about us and my background (being at Ramsgate, Margate and Sittingbourne) and he wants to help us.  We really appreciate that. 

“For us, it’s a massive signing. It’s a statement of direction as a club we’re looking to go in.”

Lawrence, who made two appearances for Margate in 2009, said: “As I embark upon my 21^st year of senior football, I am exceptionally excited to be joining Tudor Sports as they start their journey up the football ladder.

“I am relishing the chance to be part of a hugely ambitious club and one which impressed me the moment I met everyone associated with the club.

“With passion, hunger and the continued willingness to develop, anything is possible, which is why I have decided to join what is already a growing force!

“I am excited to help nurture and pass on my experience to the youth of Tudor Sports who will form the nucleus of the club for years to come and hopefully win as many trophies as possible over the coming years, establishing the club we can all be proud of!

“I really cannot wait to be part of such a brilliant venture and the start of the season cannot come quickly enough!!!”

The New Eltham based club report back for pre-season training on Saturday.

“We can’t wait now,” said Perry.

“I haven’t met any of the players yet. We’ve got four or five coming in with me that I’ve signed. We’ll add that to whatever we get Saturday.

“We’ve got a busy summer lined up and we can’t wait to get going now really.”

When asked about his aspirations for the season ahead, Perry added: “The first year is going to be difficult because I don’t know what players we’ve got.

“I’ve not taken the job to make the numbers up in the league. We’re going to go to challenge with the players we’re going to sign and we’ve got already.

“Hopefully this signing shows the ambition what we’ve got at the football club that we want to move forward.”

Perry confirmed also unveiled that Sam Baker – who was his captain at Milton & Fulston – and Fabio De Jesus – have both followed him to Tudor.

“We’re delighted that we’ve signed them both,” added the manager.

Tudor Sports finished in 12^th place (bottom four) in the Kent County League Premier Division last season.