It’s been a busy summer recruitment wise for player-manager Geoff Ocran who has added eight brand new signings and two from the development squad.
24-year-old goalkeeper Robin Philpott has joined the playing squad after impressing in training and making a number of saves in his pre-season debut in the friendly against Catholic United. Robin will dual reg with our friends at CSM London, whom we played in pre-season, and has featured for them impressively already in friendlies.
Full back Junia Charlton, 23, and centre-back James Davies, 28, bring with them a wealth of experience at non league level. Junia was brought in on recommendation by assistant manager Sham Darr. James, once of Sporting Hackney (though he never played against us) joins after making an impact in pre-season training. A busy cricketer, he will join contention for first team selection soon. 27-year-old Matthew Cunnington, formerly of AFC Wimbledon, is a versatile player that can play at both full-back and on the wings on both sides of the pitch.
The new midfielders Reggie Nelson and Johan Ahipeaud are both technical and hard working. Reggie operates as a 10 and Johan more as a 6. Johan used to play for our former MCFL compatriots NW London, and was referred to us by their management. Continuing with an unbreakable football tradition, Johan scored against his old club in our pre-season 5-4 win at the OSD.
Experienced forward Greg Moorse has also signed, having played for a long line of clubs including Haringey Borough and Hackney Wick. A tenacious, technically impressive attacker, he will join our stable of attackers and could be one to watch for big numbers this year.
Finally, teenage talent Suleyman Zahmoul joins the first team squad. A product of the London APSA youth set-up, who has caught the eye in pre-season friendlies with his technique on the ball, ability to beat a man, and also his high work rate and determination.
Two players from the title-winning development team have also joined the first team squad – centre-back Carl Paul, 33, and 22-year-old full-back Bailey Pryce, formerly of Ilford and Witham Town. Congratulations to them both. They are the latest of the development players to make the step up into the first team squad, following on from James Pavely and Fionn Glancy.
Look out for player profiles in the programmes at home games soon to learn more about them.
A whopping 31 players from last season have re-signed too, though a few have departed. More on the farewells to come.