Promoted Thamesmead prepare for life in Ryman One NORTH - EXCLUSIVE

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon, who is preparing for life in the Ryman League Division One NORTH, has vowed to continue giving his successful youth side a chance to shine, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League double winners have tonight received official confirmation that they’ve been placed in the northern section of the Ryman League, following in the footsteps of neighbours Dartford 12 months ago, who went onto win it.

McMahon has led the club’s first team to a Kent League double and his youth side have clinched a unique treble, and with the reserve side also winning their league, the future looks very good at Bayliss Avenue.

And he admits that the club is “buzzing” as it prepares for promotion.

“I’ve spoken to the players and speaking to a couple more others and we’ll take it from there really,” McMahon said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“I’ve spoken to most people and they’re happy to stay. I’m looking to add to a couple but due to finances we’ll be doing the best we can with the smallest budget in the Ryman League but that gives us a challenge as a manager and as a side. I’m confident we’ll hold our own and do well.”

McMahon revealed that his side will welcome Welling United, Tonbridge Angels, Dartford and Tunbridge Wells to Bayliss Avenue in pre-season and are currently in negotiations with Dover Athletic, Hastings United and Maidstone United.

“The whole club’s buzzing,” said McMahon. “It’s an amazing achievement for us getting promoted.

“We’re only a small club, only had senior status in 1991. We won our first trophy six years ago and now we’ve won six in six years.

“We took six trophies alone this year. We’ve done a double, the reserves won their league and the youth team won the treble. I don’t think there’s another Kent side that have done that.”

With a small budget at his disposal, McMahon will give his youth team players a chance on the bigger stage.

“I’ve had nine already had a start in the first team,” he said. “They’ll get a crack in pre-season and hopefully some will get in.

“The only way we can survive is bring the youth through. It’s good to have some home grown players to come through.

“It just shows what our club’s all about. We can’t go out and get big players on big money.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of players from a higher league that have expressed a desire to come to us and I’m meeting with them now and it’s selling the club to them.

“They know we can’t pay anything like the teams they’ve come from but we can tie a few of them up because of the ambitions of the club.”

“We’re talking to players, on our budget we can’t go mad. We haven’t got someone putting money in, we’re self-funded, we do everything ourselves. We work hard to get as much money sponsorship wise or through the gate.

“Our main concern is getting through this year and things may change for the better. Our aim is to consolidate this year, we have to be realistic.

“But I’m looking for a challenge. We’re capable of giving anyone a game. I don’t think we’ll get relegated but we know it’s going to be difficult. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Thamesmead, who return to pre-season training in the last week of June, are on a bonding weekend to Bournemouth on Friday before McMahon starts preparing for the club’s Ryman League debut.

“What a great achievement the club’s done,” he said. “We couldn’t have done a lot more - we’ve got a lot to live up to next year.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk