We need investment to take us to the next level, says McMahon

Wednesday 21st October 2009

THAMESMEAD TOWN manager Keith McMahon has today unveiled the signing of striker Joel Greaves, 23, from Sussex County League side Lingfield, writes Stephen McCartney.

McMahon, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, says Greaves is the bully that he needs to lead the line, as he consolidates his side’s top-six position in the Ryman League Division One North table.

“He played against us pre-season and impressed me quite a bit to be honest and I tried to sign him then,” revealed McMahon.

“A couple of other clubs, I think East Thurrock were looking at him at the time, but I think he went to Lingfield because he knows Tony (Beckingham) well. I’m glad I’ve signed him now.

“He scores goals, I think he was the top scorer in the Kent League last season. He’s big and strong and he’ll upset some defensives. He knocks them out of the way so that’s what we need.”

Thamesmead were dumped out of the Kent Senior Cup at the first hurdle, going down 4-2 at league rivals VCD Athletic last night.

McMahon explained why he only fielded such a youthful side last night.

“I put a lot of my youngsters out to be fair,” he said. “I think we had four first team starters that started and for the first half we were superb.

“It was a great experience for my youngsters. VCD put a strong side out, but it was a good experience for us to play against a strong side.

“We played the youngsters on Tuesday as we had a few knocks and it was no disrespect to VCD. I’ve got some suspensions and some knocks and the game was at the wrong time to be honest.

“The league is priority and we’re doing well in it. I’ve put a seven-day approach in for a couple of players as well, just for fresh faces and we’re looking to try to stay up there as long as we can and if we play well then we’ll hopefully get something sat.”

McMahon takes his side to Redbridge (sixteenth place in the division) on Saturday and admitted he has learnt valuable lessons from last season’s period of struggle.

“I’ve brought a lot of new faces in,” McMahon explained. “I’ve learnt the league within a year, learnt what we had to do. We had to strengthen up a little bit and another year’s experience for the players is a massive thing at this level as VCD are finding that out now.

“It’s not an easy league, you get punished for your mistakes and thing’s don’t go right for you when you first get in there.

“We just seemed to strengthen throughout and it’s put us in good stead. We’re looking alright, the attitude of the lads is different, they believe we can win games now and we’re doing well.”

The Mead are only four points behind big-spending leaders Concord Rangers and McMahon laughed when he was asked whether his side could be a Ryman Premier League club next August.

“You’re not the first one whose said that to me,” laughed McMahon. “Two or three people have said ‘what would you do if your promoted’ and I started laughing!

“I’ve said it before, we’re punching above our own weight at the moment.

“I’ve read a few articles from a few managers saying about their low budget. We’ll, no-one’s got a lower budget than we have at our level of football, but for us to get into that (Ryman Premier) level we’d need someone outside the club to come in and invest heavily.

“The structure is there, I’ve structured the club from top to bottom with youth sides, everything. The ground will be there, but we’re very young in terms of the Ryman League. If we’re still up there by Christmas, you never know?”

Thamesmead are the poorest supported side in the division with average league crowds of just 60 - but the club are working tirelessly to attract new blood through the turnstiles as McMahon explains.

“I think the biggest thing that will help us will be the new development,” he said. “When it opens I think that will make a difference.

“We can’t force people (to watch us), we’ve got a funny sort of mixed race at Thamesmead and not a lot of people don’t know the club’s there.

“We’ve been heavily involved, put on coaching schools at six schools that started last week and we’ve got another two started in November.

“We’re teaming up with Glen Johnson’s Soccer School and been into local schools to try and put Thamesmead Town on the map and that’s gone really well.

“We’re just trying to attract local publicity as we possibly can, local interest as we can, to get them through the gate - we can’t just physically pick them up!”

When asked if he ever felt disillusioned doubling up as first team manager and bar manager at Bayliss Avenue, McMahon replied, “I’m 100% committed to what I’m doing but like everyone else I’m really ambitious, so I’m looking for the club to move on to a higher level - or myself to move on to another high level. Hopefully I can do it with Thamesmead or there will be something else in the pipeline.”

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

Redbridge v Thamesmead Town

Ryman League Division One North

Saturday 24th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Oakside Stadium, Station Road, Barkingside, Essex IG6 1NB