Stones boss Jay Saunders snaps up local talent

Sunday 19th June 2011

MAIDSTONE UNITED boss Jay Saunders has been busy in the summer transfer market snapping up local players as the club prepare for life in Ryman League Division One South after suffering its first ever relegation.

Central defender, Nick Reeves, whose decision to join the club from landlords Sittingbourne was announced several weeks ago, has met with club officials to complete formalities.

Reeves, who is Barming based, has previously played for Beckenham Town, Dartford and Sittingbourne. Graeme Andrews, 27, has also signed on the dotted line, and is the son of the current Bearsted chairman, meaning that he will in all likelihood make his Maidstone United debut against the club that he grew up with in the club’s opening pre-season friendly on 16 July. Andrews, who now lives in Kings Hill, was at Charlton Athletic as a junior but moved on when he spent four years at Loughborough University, during which time he played locally for Loughborough Dynamo. He spent a year at Dover Athletic under the management of Andy Hessenthaler and played more than 30 games in Welling United’s Conference South side.
Saunders was keen to highlight that the majority of the players that he is signing up are local to Maidstone.

“It’s important to me and the club that we re-establish our local identity especially in the year running up to our return to the county town,” Bearsted based Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

"There is a lot of good football talent in Maidstone and I feel that the lads that come from the town immediately have an understanding of what it means to play for Maidstone United. "Nick Reeves and Graeme Andrews both fall into this category and I am excited about the prospect of these two lads making a strong central defensive pairing this season.”

Following the departure of goalkeeper Andy Walker to Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers, Saunders has moved to secure the signature of Charlie Mitten as his replacement.

Mitten is a highly experienced keeper who finished last season at fellow relegated side Croydon Athletic, where he was voted as The Rams’ Player of the Year.

Amongst his previous clubs, Charlie can list Dover, Thamesmead Town, Gillingham, Margate, Ebbsfleet United, Hastings United, Faversham Town, Welling United, Cray Wanderers and Thurrock.

Another new arrival at Maidstone United is a familiar face to supporters as striker James Pinnock returns to the fold after 18 month away from the club with Margate.

Pinnock (like Mitten) has played with Jay Saunders for a large spell of his career both with The Stones and Margate.

Pinnock was delighted to be returning to Maidstone United. “It’ll be strange playing for Jay rather than with him but I know him very well and he has explained his plans for the season to me and I am very excited to be able to take the chance to be a part of those plans.”

Saunders has also snapped up Bearsted based striker Alex Waugh.

Waugh was plucked from local football (MALGO) by Margate and after signing at Hartsdown Park he went to Faversham Town for a short period last season where he scored nine times in eight games.

Saunders said: “I know Charlie and Pinno both very well indeed and they are the kind of experienced players that I want in my team as they will help nurture and bring along the younger players in the squad. My young players can only learn positive things from players like Charlie and Pinno.

“Alex Waugh was at Margate with me and I was very impressed by his attitude and his potential. He will score goals for us especially with the supply of crosses from Ellis Green and Alex Flisher.”

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk