Monday 18/6/07

CORDERY SECURES ‘TOPP MAN’

Staines Town boss Steve Cordery was delighted to secure new signing Adrian Toppin from Premier Division rivals Carshalton Athletic on Thursday evening (14th June.)

The 6ft 2’ 28 year-old midfielder is strong, aggressive and has the ability to hold the midfield together, as he portrayed with the ‘Robins’ throughout last season, he can also get forward and adds his evident strength and frame to supplement the forward line.

A London Fireman by profession, Adrian is seen as a possible replacement for former ‘Swan’ Fiston Manuella who performed consistently well for high-flying Chelmsford City last season – Cordery was quick to point out “the aggressive talents of Manuella had not been replaced at Wheatsheaf Park last season and we were clearly a little short in that vital area.” Toppin’s recruitment will add that much needed presence and experience. That said Cordery also pointed out that Toppin was “a sensible and mature player whom he could trust to get on with the job required.”

Formerly with Metropolitan Police and Croydon Athletic, Toppin is due to commence pre-season training with his new ‘Swans’ team-mates in the coming weeks and will doubtless be looking forward to playing in a host of attractive friendlies with Brentford, Fulham and ‘Spurs heading up a cast of high-profile visitors to the Middlesex club in July and August. Off-shift from his watch on Monday (18th) Toppin explained “Steve had shown an interest previously three seasons ago when I was at Croydon Athletic, but I was just completing my professional training and didn’t need the upheaval of a transfer. He came back to me this summer and it didn’t take me long at all to decide it was a move I was ready to make. I met Steve at the ground a couple of weeks ago and was immediately impressed by the facilities and the Club’s desire and ambition and I’m really excited and looking forward to getting started. The Club has arranged some great pre-season games and hopefully the squad will then be ready for a good season. Steve’s team always likes to play football on the floor and that suits me just fine so, I think it’ll be a great move for me.”

Thursday 14/6/07

First Signing of the Summer

Swans Manager Steve Cordery has recruited 21 year-old talent Jamie McClurg from Southern League Bracknell Town. The young attacking midfielder was almost ever-present for the 'Robins' last term and underlined his excellent season by scooping all three 'Player of the Year' awards from the Manager, Players and Supporters.

With previous experience in the Nationwide South whilst a youngster at Basingstoke Town, Jamie looks to be a solid first acquisition by Cordery who said of his new player "Jamie is a bright lad who could go a long way in this game. He didn't ask about money, he just came to see the facilities and ambition here and wanted to be a part of it. Cordery went on to say, "he's very comfortable on the ball and he loves to get forward, I'm looking forward to seeing him take his game to a new level with Staines Town."
Welcome to the Club Jamie.