Thomas' not going anywhere, insists McMahon - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Thamesmead Town manager Keith McMahon has issued a hands-off message to Kentish clubs for talented left-winger Sam Thomas, writes Stephen McCartney.

The player, plucked out of Sunday football, impressed whilst attacking, during the Kent League side’s 3-1 defeat at Ryman Leaguers Sittingbourne in the FA Cup preliminary round last Saturday.

His 70-yard touchline hugging run, before cutting into the penalty area, set up his side’s 54^th minute goal, when Rikki Cable teed up Curtis Williams to score his fifth goal of the season.

“Sam is not on contract this year but it will take a good offer to prise him away,” McMahon revealed in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He’s a good friend and a good player as well. He’s had offers last year from Dartford and a few other clubs.

“He’s one of the best players I’ve seen at this level of football. We’ve got him from Sunday football so he’s blossoming very well.”

But team-mate, big central defender Ryan Royston hopes the club can keep Thomas at Bayliss Avenue.

He said: “You know what you’re going to get with Sammy, he’ll do nothing in defence for you when he gets the ball he’ll run at the other team at pace.

“He’s lightening, has got a good touch and once he’s got it under and running at you, you’ve got problems.

“Last season when I was at Maidstone we came up with a system just to play against him and that’s what other teams have to do against us - he’s superb at what he does.”

The 25-year-old, Sidcup based PE Teacher, admitted he was disappointed having to leave promoted side Maidstone United.

“The aim of most sides in the Kent League is to get yourselves up and into the next league,” Royston said.

“Last season at Maidstone that was the aim but unfortunately I couldn’t stay because of work but with Thamesmead being a bit more local I’ll be able to stay and to play at the highest level possible."

Royston admitted not playing under Stones' joint-manager Alan Walker is disappointing, adding: "I mean I’m disappointed not to be able to be working with Alan Walker any more.

“I spent a lot of my time working under him at both Tonbridge and Maidstone. He’s a good friend of mine but unfortunately the career has to come first and with my new job being in Catford it would have made it almost impossible.”

And McMahon revealed former Faversham Town striker Rikki Cable, 19, put pen to paper on the morning of their FA Cup defeat.

The striker, whose scored three goals already this season, was subject of a seven-day approach from Kent League rivals Erith & Belvedere but McMahon, who took over from Paul Blade during the close season, is delighted the player has decided to stay loyal to the club.

“Rikki’s a talented player,” he said. “He's committed to the club, we’ve had a seven day approach for him and he didn’t want to go - he wanted to stay.

“It could have been easier to go but he’s shown good loyalty and has committed his future to the club.”

Thamesmead Town return to Kent League action on Saturday with a trip to Croydon (3pm).

Since Russell Harmsworth resigned from the South Norwood club, the Trams have defeated Sporting Bengal United (3-0 in the group stages of the Kent League Cup) and won 1-0 at Erith Town in the Kent League.