Thamesmead kick-start Spice's footballing career

Monday 24th May 2010

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon has tonight unveiled Bradley Spice, 27, as his first summer signing, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Sittingbourne, Dover Athletic and Ashford Town striker put pen to paper to sign for the Bayliss Avenue outfit tonight.

McMahon, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, revealed that Spice will partner Andy Constable in leading the line for the club’s second Ryman League Division One North campaign, filling the void left by Rikki Cable, who signed for Kent League side Erith & Dartford Town earlier in the month.

“He will mostly play right up front with Andy Constable,” said McMahon. “That’s what I want. I know he scores goals and we create enough chances, as we always do, and I think he’ll do really well leading the line for us.

“He’s a very clever player, a proven goalscorer, and I think it’s an excellent signing for us.”

Son of the Sittingbourne chairman, McMahon revealed that he has fought off competition from “a couple of Ryman Premier League clubs” to sign the player.

“I met him last week at the ground and showed him the new development, told him the ambitions of the club and the plans and he was enthusiastic,” added McMahon.

“He’s a young lad, he needed a little bit of a change to give him a kick-start after being out last year.

“He’s really, really well known in the Southern side of the league and a few teams in the premier. The challenge of the northern division and starting afresh and the ambitions that the club has, he liked and I think he will fit in brilliantly.

“He’s a really nice lad and I think he will fit in really well with us.”

McMahon’s transfer dealings will be limited this season as he admitted he is satisfied with team personnel available to him at present.

Lewis Tozer, James Campbell, Constable, Marcus Perona and Scott Mulholland have already put pen to paper to remain at the club.

“I think I should just get one or two more,” he said. “I had a strong squad last year, we just missed out. It just needs tinkering. The lads, for me, were excellent last year. We need to strengthen a couple of places and we will do.”

The rapid £4m redevelopment of Bayliss Avenue is definitely helping McMahon entice players to the club.

“The ground’s coming along brilliantly,” said McMahon. “We had our presentation on Saturday and we done a little presentation with some pictures.

“The roof’s going on the main building now. The concrete blocks are going in for the seats and are in place and it’s all starting to take place.

“Hopefully the next three or four weeks the sides are being done and you get a rough idea and then the bits and bobs inside - it’s coming along well.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk