Longhurst continues to rebuild his Slade Green squad

BUSY Slade Green manager Matt Longhurst has tonight unveiled the signings of Jack Baines and Grant Cunningham from Ryman League clubs Sittingbourne and Dartford respectively, writes Robert Smith.

Longhurst has completed the signing of highly-rated left-sided player Baines from Ryman League Division One South side Sittingbourne.

It will be his second spell with the Kent League club, having originally played under former Slade Green boss Danny Evans two season’s player.

Another player to have joined The Green is Cunningham, who has made the switch from Dartford having starred in their impressive under 21 side last term.

“Grant has come across from Dartford where he starred in their under 21 team last season and teams up with other ex-Darts Daniel Westerman, Dean James, Adam Woodyard and Jamie Lawrence,” Longhurst told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/

“Grant has played for me before at Dartford and has shown great promise since the age of sixteen when I first saw him play.

“I watched him play in a Kent Senior Trophy game last season at centre back and he did really well.

“Grant can also play in centre midfield so he will add great competition for places in both areas.

“He is a player I have a lot of time for and I am very pleased we have managed to bring a player of this calibre to Slade Green and I am looking forward to working with him again.

“Jack Baines, however, I saw play for Greenwich Borough last season after leaving Slade Green at the end of the previous season.

“He then moved on to Sittingbourne in the Ryman League. Jack can play in several positions either down the left or central and is a player I have tracked since the end of last season and I’m extremely pleased that he has finally signed on the dotted line.

“He is a player I expect to want to push on and go on and play at a high level, hopefully he can do that at Slade Green.

“I am confident I can improve him as a player and he will definitely improve us as a squad.”

Slade Green tonight confirmed that Blue Square South outfit Welling United will bring a side down to The Small Glen on Saturday 26^th July.

Longhurst added: “I hope to name a further two signings this week, both midfield players and I’m still in talks with a couple of defenders as well as a couple of forwards but all in all it’s another good week for the club.”

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