Seagulls offer Rook a one-week trial

Thursday 16th July 2009

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has unveiled the signing of French striker Jean-Michel Sigere, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sigere, who was born in Martinique, began his football career in France with Bordeaux, playing for the club’s reserve team from 1997 to 1999.

While with Bordeaux he was called up to the French under 20 team, making one substitute appearance.

In March 2000, Sigere came to England and played for Conference side Rushden & Diamonds on loan until the end of the season. The following term he played his part in the club’s title winning campaign and scored in the club’s first home win in the Football League.

He was then sold to Conference rivals Stevenage Borough for a five-figure transfer fee.

Early in the 2002-03 season, Stevenage rejected a five-figure bid for him for Margate, then a Conference club, and marked his last game with Borough with a consolation goal in a 3-1 home defeat by Margate before signing for the Kent club just four days later for a transfer fee off £7,500.

However, in July 2004, he moved down a division to play Conference South football for Hornchurch, where he was a full-time player.

Then, Sigere played six games for Ryman Premier League side Heybridge Swifts before Liam Daish brought him back to Kent to play for Gravesend & Northfleet.

Spells at Conference South side Lewes, where he finished as the Sussex club’s leading goalscorer with 23 league goals from 41 starts, and a loan spell in the Ryman Premier League with Horsham and Lewes’ divisional rivals Eastbourne Borough followed.

He signed for Southern Premier League side Farnborough but left the Hampshire club today and Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk says he’s pleased to have brought the Frenchman to Longmead Stadium.

“We’ve managed to sign him for the coming season,” said Warrilow. “He ended up on loan at Farnborough last year, he used to play for Lewes, Eastbourne, Rushden & Diamonds, Margate bought him when they were in the Conference for £7,500.

“He’s come down, he’s a top lad, been very professional, works really hard and is very good around the changing room as well, so I’m looking forward to seeing Siggy play.”

Warrilow confirmed that Sigere has signed non-contract terms at the club.

He said: “I don’t think you’ll see many contracts being signed down the club this year. I don’t think you’ll see many contracts being signed anywhere to be honest, unless in exceptional circumstances.”

Having lost 2-1 to Woking in a behind closed doors friendly last weekend, the Angels commence their official pre-season campaign against new-look Ebbsfleet United at Longmead Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s not about the result obviously,” said Warrilow. “We don’t want to be humiliated, no team does, but it’s all about progression.

“Hopefully we can get minutes under our belts and build on that because it’s our first competitive one.”

Warrilow spoke about players that are on show against Liam Daish’s trialists’.

He said: “We’ve had Tom Bryant train with us who was at Gillingham last year and he went onto Halesowen.

“He’s a left-sided centre half, stroke left-back. He’s come along and conducted himself well in pre-season, he’s a trialist still.

“We’ve got Watsie back (winger, Kirk Watts, a summer signing from Tooting & Mitcham United), we’ve got Nick Davis (a defender signed from Ramsgate), who has yet to train yet. Nick’s trying to get rid of a problem around the Achilles area that’s been quite sore.

“We’ve got Jon Heath as well. He’s had a stop-start season with the reserves last season, but touch wood, if he stays fit it’s not been unknown for him to play at this level.

“We’ve had a couple of reserve players that have come in and knocking on the door. At the moment it’s not looking too sad.”

Warrilow gave the latest situation concerning his transfer listed star-striker.

“Carl Rook is going to go and trial with Brighton & Hove Albion next week,” he revealed.

“He’s up there all week, we’ve been speaking to Dean White over the last couple of days and Carl’s sorting his work out and he’ll be going up there all next week.

“I believe they’ve got two games against AFC Wimbledon and Crawley that they’ll be looking to see Rookie in, rather that making a decision on a game.

“They’re going to have a good look at him all week and let us know at the end of the week what their decision is.”

And Warrilow added that big central defender Leon Legge is enjoying his life being a professional footballer at League One side Brentford, having signed for the west London club for an undisclosed fee.

“It’s a completely different ball game altogether,” he said. “He turned up (at our) training the other night and said he’s enjoying it.

“Everything’s done computerised, the professionalism of it all, they’re working on his posture and he’s reaping the benefits of being a professional footballer.

“He had a half against Staines and he done well there and I believe he played against Ipswich last night and they lost 3-1.

“But it’s all new for Leon and he thoroughly deserves it and if he gets a fair run with it he will push on.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Ebbsfleet United

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 18th July 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW