retired_destiny1124

1.5.07
One of the most encouraging signs for us was when I worked out a new contract with Dean Morgan. The contract carries through 2010 and does not contain the dreaded minimum fee release clause that his previous one contained. Other encouraging signs were the ease in which we were able to get Carl Laurie, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Ashington and several other players under new contracts (theirs would have run out in 2008). We are about 4900 over the weekly wage budget set forth by the Board, but I am loath to really sell any of our highest wage players- since they are the key players for us as we move up. I may be forced to look at disposing some of our promising youngsters though.

***

2.5.07
Another encouraging signing was David Poole. Poole, who I had tried unsuccessfully to sign before the season, agreed to come here. It was likely an easier choice given both our promotion and the fact that he had spent this season unemployed. He should be able to help us up front.

retired_nasty

Congratulations on your promotion!

retired_destiny1124

hjfh- Thanks much

***

28.5.07
The Board informed me that our transfer fund for next season would be 150K. That should be sufficient since I am hesitant about burdening the club with more salary at this point, but I won't rule out the purchase of a few players who might bring us depth we need as we move up to Conference National play.

***

2.6.07
Finally, a minor transfer sail, as Chris Williams moved on to greener pastures at Barrow. We only received 8K from the sale, but it still helps.

***

8.6.07
We added a player I had wanted to add for a long time. David Green is an 18 yr old GK that played substantially for Nottingham Forest last season. I was surprised when they released him, and immediately offered him a contract. We had scouted him heavily over the past season and I am certain he can split time with Ross Flitney. I was very happy when he agreed to our contract and not too surprisingly he suddenly became the highest value player rated on our squad. Hopefully, his signing is an indication that our promotion to Conference National has moved us upward from obscurity. His signing means that Lewis Anderson is odd man out- since he had drawn transfer interest in the past- and I will be placing him on the transfer list.

retired_ajbrittney

You must have received a fair deal of money from transfers to be 350k i the black. Despite wining ht eECS and getting 100k I was only given 35k and I had my wage budget cut!

Anyway I expect a comfy mid table position for Harrow Hill this season.

retired_ajbrittney

Are you on the lookout for more strikers?

None of your players seem to be that prolific, Hallett and Singh especially seem to have reached the end of the road.

retired_destiny1124

Lord Crumb- well, I didn't spend much on transfers, so was able to keep some saved up from before on the cash.

That is a good observation on my strikers- Dean Morgan seemed the only one I could really count on. Billy Sharp was a favorite of my Board, but his lack of strength meant that he was easily tackled in the area. Hallett and Singh really didn't fit into my future plans, so I was looking to add them...


***

9.6.07
Another signing on free after he was released by Bournemouth was 17 year old (soon to be 18) SC Richard Langley. Langley is a 17 yr old (soon to be 18) SC- a true physical speciman. He automatically becomes the fastest player on the club with his explosive pace/acceleration. Best of all, he is left-footed and has the look of a good finisher.

***

18.6.07
The training is ongoing now, with little happening in the transfer market. Despite the influx of 150K in TV money, just looking at the balance book is enough to give me pause about overspending. We are currently about 4500/wk over the budgeted amount. Comparing that to where we are currently- 400K in the black- leaves me guessing that we may well be under 200K without significant player sales. With that in mind, I will keep perusing the free transfer market and also watch for a bargain signing or two that have been transfer listed.

***

26.6.07
I had transfer listed Lewis Anderson after the signing of David Green. I finally drew an offer of 3K on him from Grantham and that was acceptable. Anderson was pleased to go to a club with a chance to start and the deal was quickly completed.

retired_destiny1124

6.7.07
Already injuries are a factor. David Poole strained knee ligaments and it is likely he will now miss the start of the season.

***

8.7.07
One coming and one going today. We signed on free transfer rightback Shaun Clohessy. Clohessy is a 20 year old DR who was just released by Arsenal. We had scouted him extensively in the past season and both my scouts thought he would be an excellent signing for us. We also let Tommy Miller go on free to Welling.

***

12.7.07
Though it seems a bit overkill, it was nice to be able to sign talented forward Mark Smyth on free transfer. Smyth, a 22 year old FLC, was released after coming through the Liverpool youth program and he adds another promising presence up front for us.

retired_destiny1124

11.8.07
Morecambe (1) Harrow Hill (1)
We played so well in this match, we deserved a better fate. Unfortunately, we blew the coverage on one of our throw-ins and they were able to counter-attack to grab a late equalizer. Our goal came on a beautifully setup play on a free kick. Ryan Ashington, on for injured Steven O'Donnell, took the free kick and sent it to Lewis Buxton. Buxton laid the ball back for Ashington and he whistled a 25 yard shot past Adam Sollitt. That was the only thing we got by him though as we had many, many terrific chances- only to see him come up with the big save time and again. Likely none was bigger than an excellent passing sequence in second half injury time that found David Poole, who was on for Gavin Bolger, alone in front. Sollitt managed to tip his shot over the bar to preserve the 1-1 draw. We outshot them 20-11 for the match and though we only managed a draw, it was hard to be displeased with our offensive effort.

***

11.8.07
After the match we announced the signing on free transfer of Victor Anichebe. Anichebe is out of the Everton youth program and was released just before the season started. The 21 year old SC had many suitors, but was willing to sign on with us. He will give us another good presence on the left side of the attack (being leftfooted).

retired_ajbrittney

You have a lot of left sided strikers now, I've had problems attracting such players to Hornchurch.

The only non left footers who do well seem to be players with good dribbling abilities, such as my Ben Woods.

retired_destiny1124

18.8.07
Harrow Hill (2) Sutton Utd (1)
It looked like we might be heading for another frustrating 1-1 draw when Ryan Ashington continued to stake his claim for a starting role by crushing a 25 yard free kick for a late match winning goal. We took the lead in the first half when Dean Morgan made a nice move with the ball past Stuart Booth and then fired an extremely well placed shot past Conrad Logan inside the far left post. Sutton United struck back immediately when Lewis Buxton missed a header and Ross Flitney couldn't smother the ball- so Andrew Martin pushed it past him to equalize. We were not near as sharp in this match as our season opener, so to get a late win was a blessing for us.