Revolving Doors & Production Line
A new season beckons for the stripes. As is the nature of football, especially at our level, this means that players leave to pastures new, and fresh faces arrive. There’s no sky sports news in the Isthmian South Central. There is, however, internet websites with half accurate information that needs to be backed up by further searching amongst club websites and social media accounts. And SLiBaW has done the googling so you don’t have to.
Departures
Fan Favourite and midfield maestro Dominic Morgan Griffiths has departed to Hartley Wintney in the Southern League Premier Division (South). Danny Bassett, top scorer the past 2 seasons (I'm including the season that wasn’t in this), seems destined for National League football. Former captain and centre-back Sol Patterson Bohner joins Ex manager Frank Wilson at Merstham in the Isthmian Premier and of course Hady Ghandour joined Charlton Athletic. We wish them well and with a bit of luck, and with some cup draws we hope to see them back on the pitch at Imperial Fields soon.
Arrivals
Goalkeeper Gary Ross joins us from fellow “season that wasn’t” promotions hopefuls Westfield after a 4 year spell in which he made 156 appearances in total. An impressive looking keeper with good distribution skills.
Sinn’Kaye Christie joins from Whitehawk – one of a few players who joined right at the end of “last season”. A great addition to the backline who has shown great defensive qualities as well as a good range of passing and technique in pre-season. He should also add a threat on attacking corners.
Mark Waters came through the trials in the summer, having represented the Scottish Universities team whilst studying north of the border. A midfield battler with ability on the ball, he could be an excellent addition to the midfield.
Billy Brown joined us from today’s opponents, although It’s unclear whether he’ll play today after taking a knock in a pre-season friendly. An absolute speed demon of a winger who should cause many teams problems.
Jake Rose is a centre midfielder who likes to go box to box, with an eye for goal. Previous clubs include Hampton and Richmond, AFC Wimbledon and Dulwich Hamlet.
Kelvin Adjei comes to us from Ashford Town, a pacey forward whose dribbling skills and direct running really put teams on the backfoot over preseason.
Production Line
Tooting are a club of progression. That much is evident from the recent number of ex U23 players who have moved into professional football up the leagues. Mo and Abs Sahnoun will both be involved throughout the season. Tricky young wing backs on opposite sides of the pitch. Abs plays on the right, Mo on the left. Levi Phillips joined us during preseason from Carshalton Athletic. Ashley and Cornelius are very familiar with Levi as he was previously part of the clubs U23’s development team. He is a pacey, energetic forward who will be looking to impress.
It’s hard to know what our starting XI will actually look like this year. And that’s a good thing. Because it shows we have talent and strength in depth at different areas all over the field. Welcome to the new terrors – both on the pitch and in the stands, as we look forward to more players developing and a hopefully successful season.
📸 by @southlondonphotos
