We are hoping to confirm one or two more new signings over the next week or so, says Sporting Club Thamesmead boss Joe Ford

SPORTING CLUB THAMESMEAD manager Joe Ford says he is relishing their double-header against Cray Wanderers.

Ford took over the reins on 18 May after Lee Hill decided to leave the dug-out for his joint-chairman’s role in the boardroom.


Joe Ford is the son of former VCD Athletic and Erith & Belvedere manager Martin.

Ford said: “Pre-season training is going very well so far. We are now four sessions in and Jason Long (assistant manager) has really put on some high quality sessions which the lads seem to be enjoying and gaining plenty from, not only in terms of strength and conditioning but also in sharpness and technique as everything has more or less included a ball, which is something I like to see.”

Stansfeld are one of many non-league football teams that have cancelled pre-season games tomorrow so they can watch England’s World Cup Quarter-Final clash against Sweden in Russia, in front of the television screen.

Sporting Club Thamesmead will play Cray Wanderers under 23s on Saturday, before playing Tony Russell’s Bostik South East Division side on Monday night.

“We are very much looking forward to Saturday’s first game that will now be played against Mark Dacey's Cray Wanderers Under 23 side due to our original opponents Stansfeld pulling out,” said Ford.

“These things happen unfortunately so no hard feelings towards Stansfeld but I'd like to thank Mark for organising to bring down a team at such short notice and I know that they will be competitive, play football and give us a great test in terms of fitness levels too which is everything we need.

“We then take on Cray Wanderers’ first team on Monday evening at Coldharbour Leisure Centre so the lads will have their work cut out over the next few days but that's what this time of year is about and I'm sure they are like me all looking forward to getting started.

“In terms of signings, we have re-signed a number of last years squad and have also added a few exciting additions.  We are hoping to confirm one or two more new signings over the next week or so.”

The club have re-signed Charlie Martin, Tony Hill, Ben Williams, Jamie Williams, Josh Weller, Elliott Johnson, Stephen Wetherley, Harry Morgan, Josh Patrick, Aaron Jeffery and Alex Hause.

Timmi Osibodu, Max Williams, Jack Dimmock, Troy Abbey, Aaron Seales and Harry Wooten are new faces at Bayliss Avenue.

Sporting Club Thamesmead, an amateur outfit, finished in 12th place in the Southern Counties East Football League last season.

* This game was cancelled at 07:15 on Saturday morning as Cray Wanderers "couldn't field a team," so Sporting Club Thamesmead will now have an in-house game.

Visit Sporting Club Thamesmead’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/sportingclubthamesmeadfc

Sporting Club Thamesmead  v  Cray Wanderers XI
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 7 July 2018
Kick Off 11:00am
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ