Alfie May is one of eight new signings for Hythe Town as seven are shown the door

HYTHE TOWN have unveiled that prolific striker Alfie May is one of eight new signings that have been made by the club.


 

Joint-managers Clive Cook and Tony Beckingham have made new signings as they bid to climb up the Ryman League Division One South table.

The Cannons won their second game of the season – in the pair’s first game in charge at Reachfields - when May scored the only goal of their game at Tooting & Mitcham United in midweek.

The club have 10 points from their opening 12 games and are now fourth-from-bottom in the table, while the bottom four clubs have all parted company with the manager that started the season with them.

“You will have probably already read about the capture of Alfie May’s signature, with one of the most exciting young talents in Kentish football choosing to move to Reachfields from Erith & Belvedere,” said a club statement, posted on www.hythetownfc.co.uk.

“Alfie lit up Tuesday night, with a goal of the season contender for our winning strike, the highlight of a man-of-the-match display.

“The 22-year-old has previously spent time on trial at League One outfit Crewe Alexander and had a spell in the Conference South with Bromley.

“The striker scored 41 goals last season and has scored seven since the start of the new campaign before his arrival as a Cannon.  The season before last he scored 23 goals in 36 Ryman North appearances for Chatham Town.

“Joining Alfie from Erith & Belvedere is brother, Sam May, who also played a big part in the win on Tuesday, linking the play well between midfield and attack, along with Ryan Johnson who really impressed in the opening 45 minutes before a knock ruled him out of action after half-time.

“Ryan is a player who can play in or just in front of the back four, where he played really well in his short-lived debut on Tuesday, he is described by his previous club as a natural leader and won the prestigious ‘Chairman’s Award’ last season.

“Jason Thompson (who came on for Ryan at half-time at Tooting) also arrives at Hythe with some excellent credentials, having captained the Whyteleafe side that won the SCEFL league in the 2013/14 season, before leading the club to the Ryman South play-offs in their first year back in the Ryman South.

“Young Frank Griffen was probably the biggest plus point to come out of the experimental friendly against Greenwich Borough. His second-half performance against the pacy Boro' frontline was enough to earn the full-back a deal with the Cannons.

“Having arrived as a recommendation of Tony Beckingham, who was eager for Clive to see the youngster’s potential, his performance was certainly the talk of the Hythe supporters after the game.

“We are also delighted to welcome back three old favourites to Reachfields, Michael Yianni and Craig Thompson have decided against life at Homelands and have both joined back up with the squad.

“Finally, the club are very happy to announce the return of our excellent former centre-back, Nick Reeves, from Cray Wanderers of the Ryman North.

“Nick made 59 appearances for us between 2011 and 2012, having arrived from Maidstone United; the defender has also had spells with Sittingbourne, Dartford and Leatherhead. 

“Finally we would like to place on record a thank you and good luck to the following players who have now left the club; Bradley Jordan, Ollie Lee, Sam Fisher, Rene Rivera, Johan Caney-Bryan, Joe Fisher and Jack Sellens.

“Sam Conlon and Ben Jordan remain linked with the club via dual-registration with Kennington.”

Hythe Town travel to play Aylesbury in The FA Trophy Preliminary Round tomorrow (3pm).

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.htyhetownfc.co.uk