Mitchell gives County League quartet their chance to shine - EXCLUSIVE

Lordswood manager Shawn Mitchell, 34, has today unveiled six summer signings as he prepares for his first season in charge of the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Midfielder Adam Douglas, 24, has signed from neighbouring Ryman League Division One South club Chatham Town, whilst former West Ham United schoolboy and Fisher Athletic defender, Ryan Robinson, 29, joins from Kent League rivals Slade Green.

Mitchell has given four players that were playing Kent County League football last season, their chance to shine at a higher level.

Winger Matt McHue, 21, and 26-year-old midfielder Craig Beckwith, have both arrived from Bly Spartans, and midfielder Ricky Cavanagh, 24, and defender Adrian Bagshaw, 28, have followed Mitchell from Snodland.

“When I was at Chatham Town a few years ago Adam Douglas was just coming through the youth set-up and everyone was giving him rave reports,” Mitchell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“He had a season at Chatham in the Southern League and went to Sittingbourne and never established himself at either club.

“But I know I will get the best out of him. He’s an excellent ball player and a great addition to the squad.

“A centre midfield player, he’s a great passer of the ball.”

Speaking about McHue, Mitchell said: “He was at Herne Bay with me a couple of season’s ago.

“He played for my treble winning Sunday side, Wainscott Arrows and was a vital part of a side that won everything - he’s a tricky winger.”

Mitchell gave the lowdown on Beckwith, adding: “I’ve known him for quite a long time.

“He was a Chatham youth team player alongside Dougie when I was a first team player.  He’s another excellent player, a great centre midfield player.

“He’s never really played at this level. He’s a great player but hasn’t tried at this level - but I know he will be a very good player in the Kent League.”

On Robinson, Mitchell said: “I played with him at Chatham the year we won the Kent League.

“He used to play for Fisher Athletic, was at West Ham as a schoolboy for three years - he’s a great defender, a great player.”

Mitchell, however, knows plenty about Cavanagh and Bagshaw, having managed the pair at Snodland.

“Ricky Cavanagh was with my Saturday side Snodland last year and he got the players’ player, managers’ player (of the year awards) - he’s a good central midfield player.

“Adrian Bagshaw was at Snodland last year. He can play either full-back or anywhere across the middle of the park.

“He’s strong, a very good player and the Kent League will suit him to the ground.”

But Mitchell insists his new signings will benefit the Medway side.

He said: “Bagnell, Cavanagh and Beckwith have never really played at this standard of football.

“They’ve played Kent youth football and Kent County League football and they’re making the next step-up.

“They are capable of making the next step-up. I know they will be good Kent League players, definitely.”

Out of last season’s squad, Mitchell revealed that he’s currently in negotiations with goalkeeper Gavin Hopper, whose “been approached by a few other clubs.”

But skipper Dave Forster and Sean Hetterley have pledged their futures at Martyn Grove.

“I’m speaking to other players,” revealed Mitchell. “I’ve got a lot of players in the pipeline and spoken to many players at the club that have said they’re coming back.”

Mitchell has also appointed his father Graham, 55, as his assistant manager.

“My dad’s excellent,” he said. “He was with me last year and he knows his football inside out.

“We played together in the same team at Chatham when we played under Barry Zillwood in the Kent League.”

And Mitchell warned his rivals what they can expect from his side next season.

He said: “Without a doubt, I’m not looking at making up the numbers this year.

“We’re going to be an unknown quantity with a few new players coming in and with a new blend of players.

“We are going to be a different, organised side. We are going to be a different Lordswood.

“We’ll play good football as the teams I’ve always run play good football. I always make my sides hard to beat - we won’t lie down.

“With (former Herne Bay skipper) Ronan O’Connor in the side, he demands 100% from everybody.”