BILLERICAY: Town boss swoops for duo

BILLERICAY Town's new manager Brian Statham has signed two of his former players and promises at least three more new signings are on the way.

As Statham begins the re-building of the New Lodge first team squad he has snapped up left-sided defender Ian Cousins, released by Chelmsford City last week, and also midfielder Micky Shinn, released at the weekend by Braintree Town.

Both players were at Statham's former club, Heybridge Swifts and clearly he knows them well and feels they will do a job for him with his new Ryman League Premier Division chargers.

Cousins, 30, joins as player-coach and Statham said of his capture: "I'm pleased to have him on board as part of my management team because he has a great deal of experience having played at Conference level last season.

"Obviously I know him well and the kind of character he is and he will be a big asset to the club.

"On the field he will be just a player in the team but he has leadership qualities that will benefit other players when he's out there."

Cousins, who has just ended his third spell at City and played 30 games for them in the Blue Square South last season, briefly joined Braintree Town early last season before moving on to City.

Shinn, who cost Braintree Town a £1,500 transfer fee when he moved to Cressing Road at the start of last season, never really settled and was shown the door by new Iron manager Robbie Garvey at the weekend.

Amongst his previous clubs are Cambridge United where he spent three seasons, St Albans and Cambridge City, before joining Swifts in the summer of 2004.

Statham said: "He's a quality player with experience and I'm pleased to have been able to sign him.

"Again his influence and ability on the field will help the side I'm sure."

One Town player who has re-signed for the new manager is skipper Jamie Dormer, 29, who first joined the Blues in the summer of 2003.

Statham said: "Jamie had a difficult season what with injuries and perhaps on reflection he may, as players often do when they're injured, have come back to play too early and not did himself justice.

"But he is a quality player in a key position in midfield and someone I have high regard for.

"I think with him and the likes of Matt Game in midfield it will give us a great deal of experience where we need it."

The Town manager expects other new signings to be revealed shortly as he continues to speak to several potential players and he added: "I think I need another three or possibly four players and I'm talking to many at present.

"There are a lot of players around and available, but what many of them have to realise is that the kind of money that used to be on offer is not there anymore because of the current economic situation and they have to taper their demands accordingly.

"I certainly won't be held to ransom by any player I talk to.

"It's always difficult, but busy at this time of the year when you talk to potential players but I only want those that I feel will do a job for us and also want to play for this football club."

But one player definitely leaving the club is 22 year-old Bradley Woods-Garness, who ended up last season on loan at Dartford and despite Statham's efforts to persuade the promising young player to stay, he wants to move to another club.

Statham said: "I'm disappointed because I spoke to him and said I wanted him to stay, but he wants to go.

"It will be difficult to replace him because of his attributes but I'm working hard on that and hope to sign someone suitable to fill that gap.

"I don't know if he has another club lined up and the door is always open for him to come back and talk to me."

Wood-Garness, who was on a club contract last season, has declined the offer of re-engagement but with Town having a year's option on him it means any new club wanting to sign him will have to pay some compensation.

Statham is also hoping that young goalkeeper Jack Buckfield, who ended last season out on loan at Maldon Town, will now stay with the club and fight for a first team place.

Town's first pre-season game will be at home to Leyton Orient on July 14.