Kinch will strengthen my midfield, says Jenkins

CRAY WANDERERS have unveiled the signing of former Tonbridge Angels midfielder Scott Kinch, writes Stephen McCartney.

Kinch, who was released by Angels boss Tommy Warrilow last month, signed non-contract terms with the Hayes Lane club last Friday.

Wands boss Ian Jenkins also revealed that six of last season’s squad have all signed non-contract terms to stay with the Ryman League Division One South club - with more to follow.

“The majority of the players are staying,” Jenkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “I’ve managed to sign six of last season’s squad over the weekend.

Jenkins listed that Steve Aris, Glen Knight, Danny Chapman, Tyrone Sterling, Tommy Whitnell and Matt Lee have agreed to stay.

When asked about the other players that guided the club to the play-off final, which they lost 1-0 at second placed rivals Tooting & Mitcham United, Jenkins added: “They should all follow, the majority of them will. It’s just getting the time to meet up with them.

Explaining why he’s signed Kinch, formerly of Carshalton Athletic and Tooting & Mitcham United, Jenkins said: “I think we needed to bolster up the midfield really.

“With a lot of older players in midfield and losing them last season with injuries, it’s nice to have competition in that area.

“He’s sort of my sort of player, a Danny Chapman and Jamie Kempster rolled into one, he gets forward, gets goals and works hard.”

Jenkins revealed that he tried to sign former Welling United and Tonbridge Angels striker Steve Harper from rivals’ Burgess Hill Town and he’s interested in bringing Thamesmead Town striker Richard Dimmock back to the club.

He said: “I went in for Steve Harper at Burgess Hill but he already signed a contract (to stay there). I’m interested in Richard Dimmock at Thamesmead.”

But promotion into the lucrative Ryman Premier League remains Jenkins’ sole aim next term.

“It was obviously a disappointing end but we deserved to go up with the way we played,” he said.

“We’re looking to go one better than last year.

“Obviously expectations are high now as we’ve finished third in the league and lost in the play-off’s.

“We’re the top team at the minute because we finished third. It’s going to be hard but we are looking to go up.”

Jenkins says that he’s going to tie down the rest of last season’s squad within the next couple of weeks before they report back to pre-season training on the first day of July.

Meanwhile, the club have revamped it’s website - visit www.craywands.co.uk