Kentish Football 
This is my strongest ever squad, says Chatham boss Paul Foley
Monday 16th August 2010
CHATHAM TOWN kick-off their new Ryman League campaign on Saturday with Paul Foley’s strongest squad in his four seasons as a manager, writes Stephen McCartney.
Foley’s first Ryman League Division One South game in charge of the Medway side is against Corinthian-Casuals at Maidstone Road.
The Chatham squad has been finalised with Matt Solly, Uche Ibemere and Ryan Laker agreeing contractual terms with the club.
The club has confirmed the players that will start the season with the club:
Goalkeepers:
James Tedder
Adam Molloy
Defenders:
Kevin Watson (player-coach)
Jason Barton
David Hunt
George Mitchell
Gary Cook
Jon Hogg
Ryan Laker
Kevin Winchcombe
Midfielders:
Anthony Hogg
Gary Ward (vice-captain)
Lee Maskell
Brad Potter
Callum O’Shea
Nick Hegley
Ryan Restell
Strikers:
Joe Fuller
Uche Ibemere
Danny Penny (captain)
George Fenwick
Foley, who was speaking to www.chathamtownfc.net, says he is very pleased with his present squad.
“In my four seasons as a manager this is by far the strongest squad we have assembled with the key additions from last year’s Chatham squad with Matt (Solly), Brad (Potter) and Ryan (Restell) staying on and the new signings of Jon (Hogg), George (Fenwick) and Adam (Molloy) teaming up with the bulk of last year’s VCD squad that we brought with us.”
The former VCD Athletic boss added: “The loss of Danny (Penny) is a blow but in Joe Fuller and George Fenwick we have two forwards who can perform a similar role.”
Chatham welcome Folkestone Invicta tonight for their final friendly match, before the real stuff begins on Saturday, with Corinthian-Casuals visiting Maidstone Road as the Ryman League finally gets underway.
“The squad of players listed will not include injured lads Danny Penny, Kevin Winchcombe (who is now back training following his summer knee ops) or suspended players Gary Cook and Anthony Hogg (both 4 games) for the opener against Corinthian-Casuals.
“That is why we have brought in the players that we have and it is a very healthy competitive squad now.
“Hopefully we can continue the fine form of late in our last warm up game and then have our last training session on Thursday before we embark on the new season. The lads are raring to go and look to be in very good shape. We will be setting our own targets behind the dressing room door as we normally do but there will be no bold predictions coming from me I’m afraid!”
Speaking about off-the-field matters, Foley said: “We have a limited budget available too and we have to have a mixture of experienced and young lads that want to play for us as they like what we do rather than players who are more concerned with their pay packet.
“We don’t have it to throw about so it makes wage discussions very easy! Rest assured the squad we have is the best we could wish for given the budget and I would go as far to say I’d like to see Harry Redknapp (the manager of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur) do better!
“A number of players have expressed an interest in joining the club or staying with the club but the players we have are the ones we want, quite few have been told ‘thanks, but no thanks’ in the nicest possible way and have since moved on to sign for other Ryman or in some cases Blue Square sides!
“It is comforting to know that we have Matt, Uche and Ryan all on forms with the club as they are all exciting young prospects that are an asset that the club want to keep. We are also delighted to capture the signature of 18 year old Adam Molloy from Sittingbourne who looks to be serious competition with James for the No 1 jersey.
“The club are looking to invest in the ground and improve the potential of the club which is extremely encouraging for a manager. As someone who works on developments in my day job I understand that the infrastructure has to be in place first to allow growth to occur and this was all made clear when I first met up with the chairman and committee.
“There are exciting times ahead for Chatham Town FC with the plans that are being progressed and hopefully we can support those times on the pitch too. There is no point having ambition without a plan on how to realise that ambition that’s for sure.”
Meanwhile, Faversham Town have confirmed that former Chatham winger Justin Ascheri has signed for the Lilywhites.
Meanwhile, Faversham Town have confirmed that former Chatham winger Justin Ascheri has signed for the Lilywhites.
Quotes courtesy of www.chathamtownfc.net
Chatham Town v Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21st August 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd