We are delighted to announce that we have completed the signings of Marc Cumberbatch and Jake Hobbs.
Marc is a 6 foot 2" central defender who can also play right back and joins us from Tonbridge Angels where he scored 4 goals in 21 appearances. His other previous clubs include Barnet, Ashford, Dover and Staines. Marc is a pacey and accomplished defender and has appeared in several TV adverts for the likes of Nike and Adidas displaying his repertoire of football tricks.
Jake is a very promising and lively 19 year old forward who can also play wide on the right. His previous clubs include West Ham Utd, Blackpool and Welling Utd where he made 17 appearances in the Conference South last season netting 5 times. Jake is a very confident player and possesses an impressive long range shot which he is not afraid to use.
We've been back in training for 2 weeks now and the squad is shaping up really well. The players reported back looking fit and their attitude and work rate has been absolutely first class. Our new coach Steve Nolan has settled in really well and has put together a varied training programme which has been energy sapping but it has also featured alot of ball drills which the players have enjoyed and there has been a real buzz about the place.
Competition for places are going to be really tough this season and we currently have a squad of about 24 which we know we will have to trim down to about 18 to keep within our budget restrictions so unfortunately we will have to make some tough decisions over the next couple of weeks.
We have our first friendly tomorrow against Erith & Belvedere and I am sure their players will be out to impress their new management team so we are expecting a very tough test. With the exception of new signing Colin Richmond who is still on holiday everybody is available and raring to go so we will line up with 2 completely different teams in each half so all of the players can feature.
Hopefully you can get along to Welling's ground tomorrow to give the boys your valued support.
Come on you Stones
16 July 2010