On Saturday, Wivenhoe Town host Wormley Rovers at the GMP Plant Hire Stadium for the first league game of the 2018 / 19 season in the new Thurlow Nunn First Division South.

As well as retaining and re-signing a number of familiar players (see yesterday's article), James Meadows has made a number of new additions to the squad.

Forward Connor Jones joins from Great Bentley where he won the First Division title with manager James Meadows as the club’s top scorer with 17 goals in 20 appearances. A hard-working centre forward, who gives everything for the team on the pitch. A player that will cause any defence problems through his hassle and endeavour and should contribute a good goal tally to the team.

Michael Southee is another to have joined from Great Bentley, he is a central defensive midfielder who is also comfortable playing at centre back. A good passer of the ball, mick has a great football knowledge and reads the game well. He is a leader on and off the pitch and should help galvanise the team on and off the pitch.

With previous playing experience in the Border League Premier Division with Gas Rec and Harwich & Parkeston, Charley Cook has joined the Dragons for this season. He is described by the manager as an industrious and exciting attacking midfielder whose quick feet and forward-thinking vision should be creating good chances for our exciting forward line this season. Another whose hard work rate will earn himself a lot of fans at the club.

Tonye Joseph (TJ) is a central midfielder who we are pleased to have signed have been on trial at Oxford United earlier in the summer. He is extremely confident and competent when on the ball. Has superb feet in possession with a good awareness of his surroundings. TJ has grown from game to game during preseason and we are hoping for big things from him this year.

Liam Joyce is an experienced player, who also had a spell in management with Kelvedon Social Reserves. He was mostly recently at Harwich & Parkeston, who is able to play in many positions, although he prefers to be out wide. He has a good left foot which is able to deliver quality balls into the box.

Young attacking midfielder Dide comes to the club from Brightlingsea Regent and the Colne Football Academy. He likes to hassle defenders and play on the front foot and link up the play well with his quick feet.

Holding central midfielder George Smith can also play as a centre back. George is a no-nonsense player who will bring defensive cover to the squad. George will mix things up in the middle of the park and help break up play.

Harry Hennessy is another Colne Academy youngster with a bright future ahead. Harry is keen central defender and has shown good promise during preseason. He has featured in all but one of our 1st team friendlies and we are hoping Harry continues his development this season.

Joshua O’Hara is the third of our Colne Academy prospects. Josh is a no-nonsense defender who is confident in making challenges under pressure. He is a player we think has the ability to make the step to the first team this season if he carries on in the same vein.

David Darbon is a central defender who can also play central midfield. Dave is stepping up from the Border League and has shown good promise adapting to different roles. He is also good in possession and comfortable on the ball.

Wivenhoe Town are looking to recruit an FA qualified coach (level 1 and 2) to work with our senior squad and manager James Meadows. The candidate needs to be confident in taking training and pre-match warm up sessions. Anyone interested should contact First Team Manager, James Meadows on 07903 929565

Full squad -
Aaron Reid - Goalkeeper - retained
Liam Daniels - Goalkeeper - retained
Zak Johnson - Defender - re-signed
Harry Hennessy - Defender - new signing
Joshua O'Hara - Defender - new signing
David Darbon - Defender - new signing
Billy Latto - Defender / Midfielder - re-signed
Adam Simmonds - Defender / Midfielder - retained
Jack Cross - Defender - retained
Jeffrey Ashong - Midfielder - retained
George Smith - Midfielder - new signing
Michael Southee - Defender / Midfielder - new signing
Charley Cook - Midfielder - new signing
Tonye Joseph - Midfielder - new signing
Liam Joyce - Midfielder - new signing
Lewis Webster - Midfielder - re-signed
Dide - Midfielder - new signing
Aaron Donaldson - Forward - retained
Myles Passley - Forward - retained
Connor Jones - Forward - new signing
Ollie O'Hare - Forward - retained