We have signed a man who has won lots in non-league football, says VCD Athletic boss Tony Russell

VCD ATHLETIC manager Tony Russell has pulled off a couple of transfer deadline day coups.


He has enticed striker Bertie Brayley and midfielder Stuart Thurgood, both 32, to Oakwood, ahead of today’s 5pm transfer deadline.

 Brayley, who has played most of his career in Essex, played for Margate during the 2005-2006 season, has dropped down a division after playing for Ryman Premier League side Enfield Town.

He started his playing career at West Ham United, before moving to London rivals Queens Park Rangers, but made seven appearances in the Football League for Swindon Town during season 2001-2002 before dropping down into non-league football.

VCD Athletic will be his 23^rd different club of his career.

Thurgood, who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur, made 79 appearances for Southend United between 2001-2003 and has experience of Kent football while turning out for Gillingham between 2007-2009.

Thurgood has also spent most of his career in Essex, playing for Grays Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge and Thurrock.

He has also dropped down a division to sign for Vickers, from Ryman Premier Leaguers East Thurrock United.

Russell said: “Both good players, but more importantly both have experience at this level and above.

“In Thurgood we have signed a man who has won lots in non-league football.  He’s been a pro and is a leader on and off the pitch and we just felt we was missing that at the moment.”

VCD Athletic are sitting proudly at the top of the Ryman League Division One North table with 84 points from 39 games.

The Crayford-based club travel to third-from-bottom Ware on Tuesday night, before hosting second-placed Witham Town to Oakwood on Saturday, 5 April.

The Essex club are two points adrift, but they do have three games in hand.

Visit VCD Athletic’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/vcdathleticfc

Ware  v  VCD Athletic
Ryman League Division One North
Tuesday 1^st April 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Wodson Park, Wadesmill Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0UQ