We're looking to get into the play-offs or win league, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

The Mead put up a spirited fight in their inaugural Ryman Premier League campaign, finishing third-from-bottom with 46 points from as many games.

Had they finished one place higher then they would have received a get-out-of-jail reprieve, but McMahon is now preparing his side for their return to the Ryman League Division One North.

“Yes, it’s gone really well to be honest.  We haven’t really gone out looking for lads of players.  We’ve signed 95% of last year’s squad,” said the Mead boss.

“We’ve only lost Sam Mott (to AFC Hornchurch) and Junior Baker (Aveley).  Everyone else has signed and I was only looking to add one or two faces because knowing how well we did after Christmas last year.

“We’ve learnt from our bitter mistakes from the year before where we had loads of numbers pre-season and we just wanted to keep it really small. It’s gone really well.

“We’ve brought Grant Spelling in as coach and he’s done really well with Simon Glover and we’ve had two games. 

“We’ve added one or two faces so it’s looking quite good for us.”

McMahon revealed that Rob Budd will retain the number one jersey after former Welling United and East Thurrock United stopper Mott, 25, decided to stay in the division with the Urchins.

“Rob Budd won the goalkeeper of the year when we were in the Ryman North League the year before. We only got Sam in because Rob was ill last year with insomnia so it’s been a great replacement for us so there’s not too much worry there.”

McMahon revealed last night that he has re-signed striker Stuart Zanone from Southern Counties East Football League side Greenwich Borough for an undisclosed transfer fee.

“I heard rumours that other clubs in the North Division were looking at him,” said McMahon.

“I knew he was on contract at Greenwich Borough so I spoke to Jenko (Ian Jenkins) a couple of days ago and he said that Stuart wanted to move on and he gave me permission to talk to him, being on contract.

“I spoke to Stuart and I know a couple of clubs have spoken to him already without speaking to Greenwich Borough.

“I spoke to the chairman of Greenwich Borough who is away, who was absolutely excellent in it all and we agreed a deal.

“Stuart came last night, he signed, he played and he scored (in our 3-1 home win over Lydd Town).

“He joined us halfway through our Ryman North campaign the year before and got us 23 goals in about 27 games.

“For me he’s a guaranteed 30 goal a year man and that’s what we were lacking.

“I think that will be enough to give us a really good chance next year.

“Stuart knows the club, he’s a tremendous lad and he fits in with all the lads. They all love him and I think he’ll do well for that level.”

McMahon revealed that it took a while to get over the club’s first ever relegation.

“Yes, it was tough,” he said.

“I just needed to be left alone for three or four weeks and get through it.

“The lads done so well towards the end of the season.

“I’m a little bit aggrieved that we didn’t get a reprieve.  I know people will say we’ve had our chance. We’ve played by the rules fairly and you get people like Salisbury and Hereford.”

McMahon claimed: “You could say they’ve cheated their way money wise. Salisbury have now pulled out. Hereford, in my opinion, shouldn’t be playing football, but I think it’s wrong but it’s something we’ve got to get on with it.

“We’ll just bounce back. It seems the smallest clubs, people don’t look out for. If you’ve got a massive gate the rules are bent for the bigger clubs.

“I think they bend the rules for them and I think that’s what’s gone on here but we’ve got over it ourselves. We’ll brush ourselves down and we look to go again next season.”

When asked what his aspirations are for the new season, McMahon replied: “To get in the play-offs – or win it! Simple as.

“We’ve had a taste of the Ryman Prem. I think our club deserved to be there. We didn’t just make the numbers up. From Christmas onwards our record was great and we won eight of our last nine games.

“We do expect a really tough league and there’s some really good sides in the North and they’re strengthening as well.

“It’s going to be tough but what we’ve got we’re looking to get in the play-offs and hopefully we’ll be challenging.  That’s how quickly the club’s turned around in the last three or four years.”

Thamesmead Town welcome Sittingbourne to Bayliss Avenue on Saturday – two club’s that play at the same level.

The Brickies parted company with joint-player-manager Nick Davis late last Sunday night and will go into their new campaign solely managed by Matt Wyatt.

McMahon said: “I actually go away on holiday tonight so I’ll miss that!

“We arranged that because I’m a good friend with Nick Davis.  I’m a bit disappointed in that (news of his resignation on Sunday night) and I feel for him.

“He comes from my youth ranks when I was his manager for a good few years and I’ve got a lot of time for Nick and I think they’ve made a mistake with Nick.  If people’s conscience is clear then it’s up to them.

“It’s going to be a test for us. We’ve got some players to look at as well and it’s going to be another game.  It will be a good test for us playing someone at our level then it’s a game that we should do well in.

“I come back on the 29^th July so I miss this game, Leatherhead and Dartford. I will leave it up to Simon Glover, Steve Wait and Grant Spelling.  It’s the only time I can get away with my family.

“We got together a week early in pre-season because I knew we was going away. The lads will be fine. We’re all settled. There’s maybe one or two that I’m waiting on that have been training with us and I’ve signed nearly every one of my squad. I’m quite happy with what we’ve got.”

Thamesmead Town  v  Sittingbourne
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 19^th July 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ