There are a few well known names on board, says Seven Acre & Sidcup boss Chris Tuley

CHRIS TULEY says he is looking forward to taking charge of his first game as the manager of Seven Acre & Sidcup on Saturday.


The 31-year-old, who played for Gillingham youth before making his Kent League debut for Slade Green at the age of fifteen, went on to play for Thamesmead Town, Cray Wanderers and Phoenix Sports.

He coached at Erith Town and managed their reserve side during season 2009-10 where the club won the Kent League Division Two title and were runners-up in the Kent Intermediate Cup Final when they were defeated by Cray Valley.

Naturally, he is looking forward to Saturday’s opening pre-season outing against Erith Town.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to our first competitive friendly of the season.

“It’s going to be a good test and opportunity to see what we have at the moment, along with some new signings, against one of the better sides in the Kent League, who I think will be in the top three at the end of the season.”

Reflecting on pre-season training, Tuley added: “We have had good numbers turn up so far with players from last year, trialists and players I have brought in, since training began last Wednesday.  We held an internal friendly last Saturday, which was very beneficial for our assessment purposes.”

Looking ahead to the game against Tony Russell’s Dockers, who finished in fourth place in the Kent League last season, Tuley said: “Saturday’s game will be competitive I would have thought as I’m sure that Tony’s got players on trial wanting to express themselves, just like I have, so it will be played like the majority of other games you play in a season, but without the serious League/Cup hat on.”

But Tuley has kept his summer signings that he has made close to his chest, but added: “As for players coming in, we are quite happy keeping our signings so far close to our chest and let the others do the talking.

“I’m very pleased with the signings made so far and with a few more to come, I’m sure they will bring a lot of positivity to the club.

“There are a few well known names on board who I go back with during my playing career, who share the same thoughts as myself, Danny Frost and Phil Collier, in wanting to move this club forward from this point onwards.

The club, who play at Cray Wanderers’ old ground at Oxford Road in Sidcup, have arranged a decent pre-season programme.

They travel to Rochester United, who under the name Bly Spartans clinched the Kent Invicta League title last season, on Saturday 14 July, before they welcome Cray Wanderers to their old ground on Tuesday 17 July.

Tuley then takes his side to Herne Bay on Thursday 19 July, before they end their pre-season campaign with home games against Crown Alexandra (21 July), Thamesmead Town (26 July) and Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club (28 July), before hosting Welling United on Sunday, 5 August.

Tuley added: “We have some great friendlies lined up with top clubs and opposition. It’s going to be a challenging but beneficial pre-season in order to prepare us for the first league game come 11 August.”

Meanwhile, the club are searching for a first team goalkeeper coach and reserve team manager.  Anyone interested should call Chris Tuley on 07799 540 211 or email christuley74@gmail.com.


Seven Acre & Sidcup  v  Erith Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 7^th July 2012
Kick Off 2:00pm
At St Mary's University Sports Ground, Perry Street, Chislehurst