Groombridge place is at the Green

SLADE GREEN manager Matt Longhurst has tonight unveiled another summer signing, with central defender Sam Groombridge, 20, arriving from Ryman League Division One North outfit Tilbury, writes Robert Smith.

Groombridge, who began his career in the PASE ranks at Gravesend & Northfleet, as they were known then, has also played for Sevenoaks Town, Thamesmead Town and Chatham Town.

And Longhurst hailed tonight’s signing as “his biggest” as he bids to turn around the fortunes of the Kent League club.

“I have known Sam since he was 14 and coached him at the Leigh CTC School,” Longhurst told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/

“He has matured into an excellent player, he has a great understanding of the game and shows great maturity on the pitch for his young age.

“He has been full-time at Gravesend & Northfleet and then moved on to Thamesmead, which quickly followed a move into the Ryman League with Chatham Town.

“He is another player I have been tracking for a while and he has received several offers from clubs further up the non-league pyramid but after coming down and watching a training session recently and seeing the players we have signed over the last ten days, he has called me to say he would very much like to be part of what is going on down at Slade Green.

“I feel he is our biggest coup of the summer so far.

“People may think that we have acted quickly in signing all these players but when these type of players become available you need to act quickly, which is exactly what we have done.

“After having half a season in charge last season, having to try to rebuild halfway through the season it is my reputation on the line this season so I am trying to give myself the best chance of doing well by getting the squad together quickly with the right player for this football club.

“Everyone needs to be singing from the same hyme sheet this year and we will be working towards that from 3^rd July.”

Article courtesy of www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/