Make no mistake, we have achieved something very special in attracting one of the most respected and well regarded managers in the Non-League game to Thamesmead Town, says chairman Paul Bowden-Brown

THAMESMEAD TOWN manager Tommy Warrilow continues his squad rebuilding by bringing in Luke Coleman and Scott Kinch.

Warrilow told www.thamesmeadtownfc.com: “Luke has been able to sign for us as his working commitments, which restricted him playing last season, have changed and he now wants to get back into the game.

“It’s great for us as he’s still only 27 and has got a fantastic pedigree.”

Kinch arrives having helped Greenwich Borough win the Southern Counties East Football League title last season and played under Warrilow at Tonbridge Angels.

“Kinchy epitomises for me just about everything in a player.  When he played for me at Tonbridge, he played in a play-off final (against Lowestoft) with a broken hand which sums him up perfectly,” said Warrilow.

“When you consider that, the fact that he’s chosen to come to us despite having offers from club’s in the Ryman Premier and what an influence he is on and off the pitch, I’m delighted that he’s signed for us.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get both players on board and things really are now beginning to take shape.

“I’m still talking to players and they’ll be more signings to come over the coming days and weeks before we start back pre-season training at the start of July.”

Mead chairman Paul Bowden-Brown, meanwhile, says he is delighted to have attracted Warrilow and his assistant Alex O’Brien to the club.

Goalkeeper Andy Walker, who has re-signed ahead of next season’s campaign, took charge of the Mead’s final two games of last season after Bowden-Brown axed boss Terry Spillane.

“To finish the last campaign on such a low point, I find it quite incredible that (now) I can find such a positive atmosphere around the club which, in no short measure, is down to the appointment of our new manager Tommy Warrilow and his assistant Alex O’Brien,” said Bowden-Brown.

“Make no mistake, we have achieved something special in attracting one of the most respected and well regarded managers in the non-league game to our football club and I’m very much looking forward to working with them both in the weeks and months ahead.

The pair won their last ten league games in charge of Cray Wanderers, which was not only a club record for the Wands but kept the club in the Ryman League Division One North at the end of the 2014-15 season and it was a surprise that the pair of them were out of football all together last season.

 “Just this past weekend, I’ve heard that I’m bank rolling one of the biggest budgets in our division on the one hand and then on the other that the club has no future and no money,” added the chairman.

“Tommy would welcome that size of budget, I’m sure, but that would involve me winning the lottery or anyone else for that matter.

“As chairman, together with my directors, we all believe the future for Thamesmead Town Football Club is on a secure footing although being operated on a strict budget.”

While groundsharers Seven Acre & Sidcup have decided to change their name to Sporting Club Thamesmead, Thamesmead Town will still be playing at the Bayliss Avenue venue next season, despite speculation of a move away.

Despite issuing a statement on the club’s website, Mr Bowden-Brown didn’t speak about Seven Acre & Sidcup’s name change or what it would mean to the more senior club.

Thamesmead Town play Ryman League Division One North football, while the Acre play two leagues lower in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division (formerly known as the Kent Invicta League).

But Mr Bowden-Brown is ensuring Thamesmead Town are stamping their authority on their local community.

He said: “Moving forward, we are taking huge strides and we are currently in the midst of rolling out a brand new football in the community scheme, headed by Steve Rous, who will be visiting all the local schools offering coaching packages and week-long soccer courses. 

“Running parallel with this initiative, we are currently setting up our new school community package that will see every single child of primary school age within Thamesmead being offered a Primary Passport.  This will allow them entrance to all our home games free of charge, as long as they are accompanied by an adult, who will be charged the reduced concession price of £5 as opposed to the normal price of £9 – this excluding The FA Cup and The FA Trophy.

“We are continuing this season with our very popular family season ticket for a family of four currently on sale for just £30.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.com