I'm talking to three players to be the spine of my team, says Sevenoaks Town boss Simon Jones

SEVENOAKS TOWN’S newly-appointed manager Simon Jones says he was happy with the first open-trial training session at Greatness Park on Saturday, which attracted around 30 players.


Jones, who guided the club to their highest position in the Kent League in season 2009-2010 in his one season in charge, which included losing to Herne Bay in the club’s first ever Kent League Cup Final, said the club’s first training session went well.

“It was a good turn-out and gave me the chance to have a look,” Jones told www.sevenoakstownfc.org.

“There were a few guys who were at the club last season, several junior players were also involved from the side that won the Tandridge League Under 18’s and a few from the Ryman Youth League side.

“We also had three goalkeepers there and so it was all quite positive. 

“We’ll have another session on Thursday, ahead of the first pre-season friendly at Rusthall on Saturday.”

The Rustics are also under new management and former Thamesmead Town coach Paul McDonagh, who lives in Sevenoaks, was appointed as the club’s new manager last month.

Looking ahead to their visit to the Kent Invicta League side, Jones added: “They will be good, strong opposition, which will help the exercise and allow me to sift through the players and pick out the ones I feel we can build on.

“I am also looking to get a little bit of structure around the team and I am talking to three players who I feel could provide the spine of the team and give the younger guys a platform to express themselves properly.”

Jones is also working on completing his backroom team, adding, “Lots of things are going on, conversations are taking place and things are developing, which is a pleasant surprise and making me feel more relaxed.”

The club have confirmed that their pre-season games against Cray Wanderers and Eltham Palace have been cancelled.

But they will welcome three Ryman League sides to Greatness Park in the shape of Tilbury (14 July), Hastings United (17 July) and Chatham Town (24 July) before travelling to Sussex County League side Westfield on Sunday, 29 July for an 11am kick-off.

Meanwhile, a note on Beckenham Town's website say the Kent League fixtures are expected to be published on Friday, 20 July - just fifteen days before the start of the new season.

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org  

Rusthall  v  Sevenoaks Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 7^th July 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Jockey Farm, Nellington Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8SH