4thjuly05

Monday 04th July 2005

Grounds for improvement at Thamesmead

Thamesmead Town are pleased to announce two new signings, writes Stephen McCartney.

Full back Scott Saunders and striker Chris Arnold have joined the Kentish Observer League outfit.

Saunders, who has played at a higher level, turned out for Chatham Town in the Southern League last season and has also played for Tonbridge Angels, Sittingbourne and Erith & Belvedere.

Arnold has also played at the higher level with Dartford and played for Kent League neighbours VCD Athletic and Slade Green last season.

Speaking of the signings, Thamesmead Town manager Paul Blade told the club's website: "It's two good signings for the club.

"Scott is a player that the club has been looking for, an attacking left hand side player with experience playing at a higher level.

"Chris is a strong centre forward that has proved he can score goals at a higher level."

Blade is looking ahead to the new season, and added: "The club this year are going to give it a real go for promotion and we are currently working hard off the pitch to get the ground up to scratch.

"These two signings show that we are going to get things right on the pitch.

"We are currently a week into pre-season and things are looking good, we are getting numbers of 35-40 people at training at the moment."

And Blade has promised further signings, adding: "Keith (McMahon) and I have been speaking to a lot of players this year and there should be a couple more signings in the next week or so."

Meanwhile, the club are currently looking for sponsors for advertising boards to be erected around the pitch at Bayliss Avenue.

Assistant manager Keith McMahon added: "We are currently doing a lot of work off the pitch to get Bayliss Avenue up to standard for promotion.

"The pitch is currently looking fantastic for the new season, but we need to upgrade the rest of the ground."

This will include new turnstiles, a PA System and the club are also looking to enclose the whole of the ground with a new security fence and also put a hand rail and a path behind the bottom goal as well as covered standing area behind the top goal.

McMahon added: "This hopefully will be done by the end of the season.

"Things are looking bright for the future for Thamesmead so if anyone wishes to place an advertising board around the ground can contact me by email: keith@maine-plc.com