Kentish Football 
Mead boss Keith McMahon unveils the signing of striker Stuart King
Thursday 17th February 2011
THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon has tonight unveiled the signing of striker Stuart King, having agreed a compensation figure with Kent League club Herne Bay for his services, writes Stephen McCartney.
McMahon promised changes after his side slumped to a disappointing 4-1 defeat away to Potters Bar Town in midweek and following the departure of striker Sol Patterson Bohner, who recently secured a £150 per week deal with Ryman League Division One South side Leatherhead, McMahon has brought in the former Ramsgate striker.
King has found the net seventeen times for Herne Bay this season and McMahon said: “Stuart is a great signing for the club. I have been a big fan of his for ages. He is a proven goalscorer and a match winner.”
Herne Bay boss, Stuart Halsey, meanwhile, said today that King was making a big mistake leaving Winch’s Field for Bayliss Avenue.
When asked why King has parted company with the club, Halsey replied, “He didn’t feel it wasn’t the right club to be at!”
“Disappointing? Yes, I think so, definitely disappointing for himself that he’s left.
“The club is going places, but that’s his choice that he felt he didn’t want to be apart of it so that’s where I’ll leave it to be honest.”
A statement issued by Herne Bay on their official club website www.hernebayfc.net tonight said: “Stuart has been a tremendous asset to the club and has scored many memorable goals and we wish him well with Thamesmead.”
But McMahon hopes King’s arrival at Bayliss Avenue will lift his troops following their second half capitulation at Potters Bar.
Andy Constable’s tenth goal of the season gave the Kent side the lead against the run of play after 35 minutes, but The Scholars hit back during the second half through lone striker Jose Esponoza, who netted a brace, Tom Pett and Chris Doyle as McMahon admitted, “We got what we deserved.”
McMahon demands a reaction away to AFC Sudbury at the weekend, a side that are in a disappointing ninth place in the Ryman League Division One North table, although only four points adrift of the play-off’s.
When asked what he wants, the Mead boss replied, “Just a lot more work-rate. A bit more hunger and we’ve got to see what sort of bodies we can put out for that game, whose going to give me that.
“I need to sit down and pick a squad that I think that’s going to give me 110% and if that’s all the youth team and a couple of others it will be!”
McMahon handed Jake Burman - the eighteen-year-old son of Dartford manager Tony - his second start in midweek.
He said: “I feel sorry for him. He’s come into the squad, he’s played two games, he just does what he’s told. He doesn’t set the world on fire. He’s a very good holding player.”
Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk
AFC Sudbury v Thamesmead Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 19th February 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At King’s Marsh, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 1XR
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd