What The Papers Say
2009/10

'Meet the Manager Night' looms large for Merstham boss

GRAEME Banyard is desperate for Merstham to start winning – especially with a 'Meet the Manager night' looming, writes Ian Lamont.

He believes the Moatsiders will be able to forget a 5-1 thumping at home on Saturday by Croydon Athletic quickly, because the Rams are a "class" side. But points from trips to Walton & Hersham on Saturday, then Walton Casuals next Tuesday, are vital if Merstham are to justify his belief that the squad is strong enough to leap from 12th to the top six. Banyard is still pursuing Leon Simpson, sent back by Leatherhead, whom Merstham now sit just above in the Ryman One South, to Farnborough after a recent loan. Meanwhile, he is due to have a meeting with Charlton today (Friday) to discuss players. Two Academy youngsters have been on "work experience" at Moatside, but were recalled before last Saturday because Charlton's first team had a flu outbreak.
 

On Saturday's game, he said: "I think the result was fully justified. They are a good side and if they don't win the league I would be surprised. They are a much stronger unit than when we played them at their place." Both sides are much changed since that 1-0 defeat in October. "I don't think we'll play a better side than them this season," Banyard added. "The boys knew on Saturday we were beaten by a better side so we will be saying 'just get that out of your heads and focus on Saturday'. In the first half we didn't start like we had in the previous couple of games." He remains positive. "Walton & Hersham are up and down and Walton Casuals are scrapping for survival, so there are no easy games. But I'm confident we've got a top five or six side. It's just a case of getting our confidence back." Despite conceding five goals, Banyard said centre-backs Sam Hewitt and Craig Vernon were two of the better performers against the Rams. "The last couple of months have been a bit poor. But a couple of wins will get us back into the top six or seven, but we've got to start getting that win under our belts."

One addition to the side was Dale Marvell, from Epsom & Ewell, who Banyard had worked with at Banstead but whom supporters, did not see the best of in a heavy defeat. But Simpson, the 6ft 7in striker who departed for Farnborough in the autumn, remains an elusive target, via the Farnborough manager who has yet to return Banyard's calls. Winger Liam Bellamy and tall centre-back James Anderson, the Charlton pair, could make all the difference. "Charlton have been as good as gold," he said. "We're going for a meeting on Friday where we could find out if players could come to us this or next season."

Banyard Sweats on Centre-Backs

A CENTRE-back is Merstham boss Graeme Banyard's priority this week ahead of a crunch fixture against Ryman South leaders Folkestone Invicta. Craig Vernon has vowed to return to face old boss Mick Sullivan's Leatherhead on March 2. But the injury he suffered nine days ago against Burgess Hill, combined with Tristan Frontin's one-match suspension, has given Banyard a headache. Left-back Sam Hewitt had a fine game in the centre for the best part of last Saturday's 4-2 home defeat to Godalming, but the Moatsiders are short of options. Liam Bellamy, signed on work experience from Charlton Athletic's youth team, played at right back, but is normally a winger. And Banyard is in no doubt about the size of the task on Saturday at the Buzzlines Stadium. "They're a strong all round side, but they've got [former Rushden striker] Jimmy Jackson, who's got a lot of experience, and Jimmy Dryden up front. It will be another tough game but the lads have got to start winning a few now. If we play as we started against Godalming then we won't lose too many more."

He also hopes his side can draw on the experiences of games such as beating Hastings 6-1 in the FA Trophy earlier in the season. "When we play good sides that like to get down and play I think it helps us." Banyard wanted Merstham to get close to Godalming's Graeme Purdy last Saturday and force him to play the ball backwards. Similar tactics are likely to be adopted, while at the other end Cedric Abraham, on his debut, scored a very good goal after Banyard carried out his promise to hunt for talent in lower divisions. While registered to Swindon Supermarine, in the Southern League, the Dulwich-based hit-man had been spotted playing Sunday football.

 
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd

Banyard Seeks 'Big Target Man' to get
Merstham's Season Back on Track

A GIANT forward is Merstham boss Graeme Banyard's priority as he tries to rekindle the club's promotion bid, writes Ian Lamont. Banyard failed with a seven-day approach for Chipstead defender Jason Thompson recently. But he said the team lacked a "strong" striker to help them arrest a slump that has reaped one league win – and just six points – in seven games for his ninth-placed side. The challenges do not get any easier, with hard-working Godalming Town, in third, due to visit Moatside on Saturday. "The priority is a target man. It showed on Saturday," he added, outlining his frustration at a 3-2 defeat at Chatham Town. Merstham had Tristan Frontin sent off on 66 minutes, but equalised soon after through Craig Carley. After going behind again, Billy Marshall made it 2-2, only for Lee Barnett's strike to catch defender Craig Vernon and loop over keeper Ian Chatfield late on.
Banyard said: "We've got Craig Carley, Carl Gibbs and Billy Marshall who are good foxes in the box, but you don't expect them to bully a centre-half. We played quite well with 10 men and I said to the lads if they had started the game like that we would've won. It was another frustrating game in the life of Merstham Football Club. We can't keep dropping points like that if we want to get back into the top five."
Thompson has not been Banyard's only target, and the Weldon Way boss said he found it "annoying" how much money players believe they can get. He said he might now hunt for new blood in lower divisions. He has been boosted by the return of Mu Maan, who had trials for a professional contract in Dubai. Banyard said: "He went there towards the end of last season and got asked back at Christmas. I don't think anything is going to happen for him over there and he's come back to the snow and the rain here – I think he's made the wrong decision!" Maan, a midfield player, might find his chances restricted by the arrival of Neil Lampton, who had another good game at Chatham.

Ian Lamont
Wednesday, January 21, 2010
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd

McGlashan Leaves Merstham as Lampton Signs

IT'S been a Dickens-like case of players past, present and future for Merstham manager Graeme Banyard this week, writes Ian Lamont. Popular former captain Chris Boulter has declined the chance to return to Moatside, Jermaine McGlashan has left for Ashford Town (Middlesex), MJ Lampton has been brought in from Met Police and Banyard hopes a player who was due to train with the club this week will sign up.

Banyard said he had a "chat" to Boulter after a seven-day approach and knew if he could get him he would be a popular addition to the squad. Banyard said: "He's a Merstham boy through and through and everyone at the club is disappointed he hasn't come back." Boulter was one of several players to follow departing boss Mick Sullivan to Leatherhead in the summer. Boulter told the Mirror's sister paper, the Leatherhead Advertiser: "It was not a case of turning them down, I just wanted to keep a promise to the manager, keep to my word that I would stay for the season to see if we can push for the play-offs, and I think we can do that. Merstham is my old club so I had to give them the time of day to see what they were going to say, but I wasn't willing to walk out of Leatherhead after a couple of months."

Banyard has left the door open for McGlashan to return if things do not work out at Ashford, a level up in the Ryman Premier. "He has been one of the best players this season, he just wants to play at the highest level he can," he said of Croydon-based McGlashan, known as JJ. "He's probably not going to earn as much when he has taken travelling into account," said Banyard. "I think he's more than good enough for that level. I hope things work out for him but if they don't he said he'd be straight back in touch. "It's obviously frustrating because we have lost players like Michael Gordon [to Lincoln City] and Leon Simpson [to Farnborough, who then went to Leatherhead]. But [recent signing] Aaron Hay has got massive potential and could be as good as them."

He thinks Merstham might have been victims of their own success after topping the Ryman South early in the season, with teams from the divisions above looking at their success and their players. "I think we were probably over-achieving a little bit. We were not a top two or three side at that stage." MJ Lampton, a box to box midfielder, is arguably what Merstham have been lacking since John Hamsher left for Dorking Wanderers. He has the experience of winning the division with Kingstonian last season and goes straight into the squad for local derbies against Chipstead at home on Saturday and at Whyteleafe on Monday.

Ian Lamont
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd
Photo: Sue Austen

Derbies are no Worries for Merstham Boss

GRAEME Banyard admits Merstham did not play well enough to win against Dulwich Hamlet last weekend. But he has "every confidence" the Moatsiders can gain points at Met Police on Saturday and Walton Casuals on Monday to reboot their play-off bid. The challenge has faltered with three points from four games and Merstham slipping to ninth. "I would have preferred to win a couple and lose a couple" said Banyard.

Derbies over the festive period – two against Chipstead, one with Whyteleafe – followed by a trip to Leatherhead, managed by the club's old boss Mick Sullivan do not seem an easy way to lift Merstham's fortunes. But Banyard said: "I don't mind having derbies. Chipstead have done well in the last few games and Whyteleafe are no mugs. But being derbies it will be special, but I've got every confidence in the boys. We're looking at Saturday [at Met Police] and thinking they've been struggling and it's the same with us."

The manager was left "frustrated" by Saturday's performance, declaring: "I don't think we did enough to win, but we created the better chances." He said the change to 4-5-1 in the past couple of games came about because Merstham lacked "bodies getting forward". It allowed Wes Goggin and Paul Hunt to press from the midfield, even if injured Jermaine McGlashan was keenly missed, replaced on the right by striker Billy Marshall. McGlashan should return from an ankle injury for the trip to Imber Court. Banyard added: "Billy's played there for the past couple of games but I was saying to one of my guys that we've had two wingers with pace all season and we didn't have that." Banyard also felt that central striker Craig Carley – who will face his old club – went seeking the ball in wide areas through frustration, rather than staying in the middle as instructed. He said: "At least we didn't lose and it's another game unbeaten, but with other results a win would have been ideal."

Impressed with his defence, Banyard added it would take time for teenager Charlie Turnbull, on loan from Woking – possibly until the end of the season – to attain his potential. "They rate him very highly" said Banyard. "He lacks first team experience but he will improve. He was very good on the ball. It will be a good pitch at Met Police on Saturday when hopefully we will see the best of him." Aaron Hay, a player he knew from Banstead, made his debut as a second half substitute.

Banyard: We Need to Start Earning Points

JAMES McGlashan faces a race to be fit for Merstham to face Dulwich on Saturday, when boss Graeme Banyard believes his side need to restart their play-off push. Tricky winger McGlashan took a blow to the ankle just before half-time at Eastbourne last weekend and had to be substituted shortly after the restart. Banyard has already tried to strengthen by putting in a seven-day approach for one player, while eyeing a couple more’. He said: "I think Dulwich are a very good side, they've got some good front men. Frankie Sawyer has played for Hastings and Met Police and Sol Pinnock is still young but seems to have been around for a long time and scorers plenty of goals. They are good going forward but defensively not the best from what I've seen. We need to pick up some results. We're down to eighth and while the top two are pulling away the top five is still a possibility – in fact we should be able to get there."

Pinnock was among the scorers as Hamlet beat Whyteleafe 4-1 10 days ago, and have three wins and three defeats in the last six. Carl Gibbs, who was away, and James Hancock, who was suspended, will return, while keeper Ian Chatfield can walk after a training knee accident but is not fit to return. Mark Rouse has performed admirably in his stead, Banyard said of his childhood friend, who won the division with Walton & Hersham and has been very vocal since signing from Banstead. "He calls an awful lot, which is great because it helps the defence," said Banyard. "At Eastbourne he made a very important save after they scored."

Tristan Frontin was harshly penalised for handball after he slipped and it hit his hand, while Jimmy Majinya was the latest to be promoted from the reserves. James Deacons and Mark Honess have been promoted, too, to help with the management side, after the departure of John Hamsher. Banyard said: "I took my time in appointing someone for a couple of weeks and spoke to a couple of people. I gave James the chance to coach to see whether the guys responded to him and he's still young enough to keep up with the drills himself, which was key."

Gordon: Only Football League Would Drag Me from Merstham

MICHAEL Gordon says if a Football League club had not come calling he would still be at Merstham, who should pursue a play-off place "as a minimum" he suggests.

The right winger, who began his career with Wimbledon, had found his feet again at the Moatside after playing at many non-league sides. His Lincoln City debut last Saturday was exactly what Merstham fans had been used to. Marauding down the right, he earned man of the match and supplied the corner from which the Imps scored in a 1-1 draw with Cheltenham. With right midfielder Rene Howe injured, Chris Sutton had no hesitation picking him. Winning battles for a right-wing berth is nothing new for Gordon. At Croydon Athletic last season, he kept out raw young talent Tom Bolarinwa as Tim O'Shea and assistant Neil Smith built a squad to challenge in the Ryman South. Before a game at Leatherhead last March, some considered that the short, if obviously skilful, player had not produced his best for the Rams. However, that day he came alive and continued to impress for the rest of the season. "When you go to a new club it takes time to get used to it," Gordon said. "To be honest I had two or three games where I wasn't really showing my potential."

Matters did not go his way in the summer. "I got on with Tim O'Shea and definitely Neil Smith, but I went on holiday at the start of pre-season and then I got a bit ill," explained Gordon. "I had a falling out with the manager who thought I wasn't taking it seriously and I said 'Fair enough I'm not going to come back'." A "bit ill" meant two weeks in bed with what he thinks might have been swine flu.

Another door was soon opened by Graeme Banyard, who was building a virtually new team at Merstham, Croydon's divisional rivals. "I went down there and played one game and he offered me something," said Gordon, who is the season's top scorer, with seven. "I wish Merstham the best of luck. If it wasn't a League club that had come in for me, if it was a Conference club or something, I'd still be there. I was enjoying it. There will always be a place in my heart for them and for all their fans," he said, pointing to the good comments he received when on a final visit to watch 12 days ago. "There were a lot of people saying well done with your move."

Facial Injuries Fail to Dent Merstham Striker's Pro Dream

BILLY Marshall has had several injuries in his fledgling career. So a broken nose and cheekbone was never likely to take away his determination to pursue his dream of turning professional one day. The 21-year-old striker suffered the nasty injury in Merstham's FA Cup exit at the end of August.

Last Saturday the football coach returned to the first team, jumping for challenges and headers as if he had never been away. Now he wants a run of games to re-establish himself, as well as to help Merstham push for a promotion he believes is within their grasp in their second season in Ryman Division One South. "My face was out here" he says, lifting his hand half a foot from his face as he recalls the aftermath of an opponent "coming into the side of me" back in that game. He suffered a hairline fracture of his left cheek, a broken nose and substantial bruising under which it was initially feared he had also broken his jaw. Marshall had reconstructive surgery and a metal plate fitted at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, which was set up to help soldiers who had suffered serious facial injuries in war. "There was a woman there who'd had her face bitten off by a dog," he said. "They had pictures of her before and after her operation and they'd done an amazing job."

When he returned to action he was not even wearing a protective mask, as many sports people do. “When I went to the hospital they said that was a load of rubbish," Marshall said. "The masks don't do anything. It's just to tell opponents you've got an injury." Wary of being targeted – and the permanent damage that could occur from a repeat injury – he decided against the mask "in case I get someone who doesn't really care" playing against him.

Training with Merstham was fine, because he could trust his team-mates but, naturally, there was some hesitation when he returned in the reserves a week ago, but not for long. "When they'd put it all back together, there was no way I wasn't going to play again," Marshall said. "But it was a case of 'what's my mental state going to be?'" It was quickly answered. "The first header I went up for I was fine. At the start of a game I might have it at the back of my mind, but once I get going I don't think about it."

Marshall had to have several weeks off work at the Chessington-based football academy Concept for Football, a business in which he is a partner. "I have to be able to demonstrate tackling," he explained of passing on his skills to youngsters who, like him, hope to sign professional terms. Released at various stages by Fulham and Tottenham during his teens, Marshall was at Woking when spotted by Bristol City scouts. "I did my knee and was out for 10 months and they released me," he said of how his time ended at Ashton Gate. Trials at other clubs also floundered on that injury. "I couldn't have trained every day," he said. The scar tissue took two years to heal properly, while he was at Leatherhead. "I need to play game after game and at Tooting last year was the first time I'd played 15 games on the trot." Now he hopes to be a regular to keep Merstham at the top of the division.

Banyard Targets another Trophy Upset with Moatsiders

GRAEME Banyard says Merstham have nothing to fear from their trip to Tonbridge Angels this weekend. The Moatsiders face the Ryman Premier side in the FA Trophy second qualifying round, but Banyard is confident of causing another upset in the competition, having thrashed Hastings United in the previous stage. He said: "There is no pressure on us but whatever team I put out I think it will be good enough to go through. This club loves a cup run and this game has got everyone talking about us which is a great thing for the club. I want to win on the day but if we can't manage that it would be good to get a replay and bring them back to ours on the Tuesday night."

Banyard's side will have to contain one of the hottest strikers at Premier level when they face Carl Rook who has had scored 58 goals in 76 appearances for the Angels, and has 11 this season. However, the Angels are not in the best of form this season and will go into the fixture with less confidence than Merstham who sit fifth in the Ryman League Division One South. "We are having a good year. I'd like to be higher in the table but if we can stay in the top six until Christmas we should be able to improve over the second half of the season," added Banyard. "I've got a few players out on Saturday but I'm happy we have enough depth that it doesn't affect us too much."

Simon Osborn
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd

Banyard: Making the Play-offs Will be Tough

MOATSIDERS' manager Graeme Banyard admits he is disappointed with the way the club's transfer dealings have panned out - but claims the club can still challenge for the top 10. The Merstham boss has seen the squad he inherited ripped apart in the past two months, with only three players who played under Mick Sullivan still at the club. But defiant Banyard insists he only wants players who are happy to play for him and believes his new look squad will still challenge in the top half of the division. He said: "The plan was to make only a couple of alterations to what was a very good squad and try and better last season's seventh place. But for a variety of reasons we have only been able to keep a couple of players and have had to build a whole new team. It will be hard to get in the play-offs this season now but I still believe we can have the team to finish in the top 10."

Banyard replaced Mick Sullivan, who left at the end of the season to join Leatherhead after almost a decade at the club. And the former Banstead boss paid tribute to his predecessor. "I have a lot of time and respect for Mick and he did a good job here. But all the success he had in the last couple of years was down to the work he put in in the seven or eight years before that. We're building a new side here so to get a great improvement straight away will be difficult."

Several of the squad from last season have ended up with Sullivan at Leatherhead, with rumours Merstham cannot compete with the divisions bigger clubs financially. However, Banyard says he is happy with the amount he has to work with and believes he can still make his squad competitive. "I come from Mole Valley Predators and Banstead so any money I get to pay players is a bonus," he said. "I see it as my own money so I don't like to waste it. I've had players turn up for training and the first question they ask is how much money they are going to earn in expenses. They were quickly shown the door. But our budget is enough to able us to be competitive and it doesn't work that the more money you have the more success that will follow."

Former Chipstead midfielder Aaron Cole-Bolt has signed on and Banyard believes the player has the ability to be a big hit on Moatside. "He is a player I have known about for quite some time. He is technically good and turned down offers from other clubs but wanted to come to us. I still want to add a couple of bodies as we've had players leave who were not prepared to stay and fight for their places. That says a lot about their attitude and we don't need players like that at this club”

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd
Photo: Sue Austen

Lock: Why I had to quit Moatside

KEVIN Lock says he quit Merstham as the club showed a lack of ambition by not trying hard enough to keep their best players over the summer.

The popular centre forward signed for Chertsey Town last week after becoming disillusioned with the way things were going at Moatside during pre-season. Lock turned down offers from Redhill, Whyteleafe and Worthing insisting the offer from big spending Town was too good to turn down. "It was a difficult decision for me which is why I stuck it out during pre-season for as long as I could," he admitted. "But there were too many new faces down there and it was never going to be the same as it was with the other lads there. I wasn't too sure if I was going to enjoy it."

Only three first team players from last season remain at Merstham and Lock admitted his concerns as to how the side would do. "I'm not too sure, it depends if Graeme can bring in the quality of players that he wants," he said. "I don't think it will be easy but I do wish them success."

Lock denied money was the main motivation for the move, saying his main priority was to play for a side with ambition. "Money has never been that big a motivation for me," he added. "They are going for promotion and the manager really wanted me but in the end I wanted to go to the club with the best chance of success."

However, one club that was not an option for Lock was Leatherhead, as he was not offered a contract by Sullivan. “When Mick left he invited everyone down there to train with him at the Tanners," said Lock. "But while he made offers to four of the players straight away he didn't ask me to sign for him and I didn't want to go down there just on an invitation to train." The striker added the decision to leave was not easy, as he had enjoyed the best moments of his career at Moatside. "I had a great time down there and it was three great years. The Vase run and promotion were the highlights for it and at the time I think we took it for granted. It is sad it had to come to an end and Merstham didn't do enough to keep everybody. They let everyone go without a fight and I don't think they tried hard enough to keep the players who have done so much for the club."

Banyard admitted he was disappointed to lose Lock, who scored 20 times in 54 games last season, but reiterated that he only wanted players who wanted to play for him. He said: "It was a blow. Kevin had been around the club for the last few weeks and we put a fairly good deal on the table but there is no point keeping people who are not fully committed. He goes with my best wishes but we both felt if he was unhappy that it was best we part company. The door is never closed and I would never shoot myself in the foot by ruling out him coming back at some stage but only if it was right for the club."

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd
Photo: Sue Austen

Row Engulfs Boxing Show

Merstham Football Club have slammed Reigate & Banstead Borough Council after they pulled the plug on this weekend's planned boxing show. The event will now be held at Liquid and Envy nightclub, in Redhill and the club are furious that they will lose out on up to £5,000 worth of revenue. A spokesman for the Moatsiders said the club were very disappointed the council deemed they could not host the show as it allegedly breached their lease on the land. "When initially approached by the promoter, we made what we thought were all the necessary checks," the spokesman said. "We obtained police approval. We met and obtained approval from the Boxing Board of Control and we received written approval for the event from the council's own licensing department. It appears that a very small number of residents contacted a local ward councillor, who in turn contacted a different department within the council and we were then hit with the bombshell of the council's letter dated July 10 which advised us that we would be in breach of our lease as, in their opinion, we can only hold football matches at Moatside." But the club dispute this, insisting the council were in the wrong and the fight night should have been allowed to go ahead. The spokesman continued: "It should however be pointed out that our lease also allows us to use Moatside for 'other sports club meetings' with council approval, and of course, we thought we had done this by obtaining the event licence. It seems that two departments within the council have different opinions." However, the council maintains the lease is clear and the club are not able to host sporting events other than football. A council spokesman said: "It is unfortunate that the club officials did not check the details of their lease of the football ground before applying for a licence for their boxing promotion. They should have been well aware that the terms of the lease only permit the usual activities of the football club, and did not extend to holding a commercial boxing event. Following concerns raised by local residents, we wrote to the club notifying them that the proposed event was a potential breach of their lease. Perhaps because they had left themselves so little time, it appears they chose not to attempt to resolve the situation but instead opted to change the venue. We have made it clear to the club that if they wish to hold other events in the future, which are contrary to the permitted uses within the leases, they are required to apply for a change of use under the terms of the lease. Any such application cannot be pre-judged but can only be considered at the time and on its own merits."

Banyard Faces Tough Start with Merstham
Ryman Fixtures Announced

Graeme Banyard faces a baptism of fire as Merstham manager after the new Ryman League fixtures handed his side a tough start to the season. The Moatsiders face Metropolitan Police at home on the opening day before tricky away games at Ashford Town and Whitstable Town. They then host Worthing before a trip to last season's play-off contenders Fleet Town. The games will represent a big test for Banyard's new look side, who have lost a number of important players over the summer to Leatherhead. And Banyard admitted it was not the start he would have picked. "I know Jim Cooper [Met Police's manager] quite well and I think they will be one of the favourites for the title next season for sure. The type of players he's side have just strengthened his squad which was already one of the best in the league so I see no reason why it won't be their year. But we'll be going into every game believing we can win and looking for three points and it is good we have a home game. With those fixtures if we can get off to a good start confidence will grow and it can set you up for the season."

The Christmas fixtures again off some great derbies, as Merstham face Chipstead twice in the space of six days. But Merstham fans looking forward to the return of Mick Sullivan will have to wait, as the Tanners do not visit Moatside until April 17 with the Fetcham Grove fixture planned for Halloween.

Friday, July 17, 2009
Surrey Mirror
© East Surrey & Sussex News and Media Ltd

Banyard Not Concerned About Lack of New Players at Merstham

Merstham manager Graeme Banyard says he is unworried about the lack of signings at Moatside - insisting the club's transfer policy is all in hand. They have lost several of their top players from last season with defender Chris Boulter, striker Kwabena Agyei and midfielder Michael Morgan all leaving to join up with former boss Mick Sullivan at Leatherhead. But Banyard, who took over at the Ryman League Division One South side after Sullivan's departure last month, insisted he was happy with the progress he was making. He said: "We're not in a position to announce any new signings but I'm sure over the next couple of weeks that will change. We've got five or six definite players in mind but haven't actually got them to put pen to paper yet. What I've said to them is come down to the club and see if you like it, see if you like the way we work and you're comfortable first."

Banyard said he knew a number of his players had offers from other clubs but was unconcerned the Moatsiders may lose more of last year's squad. "There was about 10 or 12 players from other clubs down here last Tuesday night and that is what happens at this time of year. You can't have it both ways as a manager and look at other people's players but moan when it happens to you. These are young men who have to consider what is best for them and I understand that. I'm just sure the best thing for most of them is to be at Merstham." The former Banstead Athletic manager also said he was hopeful of persuading striker Kevin Lock to stay at the club. "He's said he is going to come back for pre-season and see how it goes. He just wants to know the type of player we are going to be attracting and be in a successful side. He is a local lad and the club suits him and I'm sure if we can bring in the type of player we are after then he'll be happy to stay." Merstham started their pre-season training last week and Banyard was delighted to finally get out and do some work with the players. “I've been in the job just over a month and most of that has been spent waiting to get on with things," he added. We had more than 70 boys turn up for training on Tuesday and that included about 20 U18s. There was some good quality and I'm sure it will give us a few headaches trying to whittle it down."

Four leave Merstham for Leatherhead

Merstham Football Club have been left reeling after former manager Mick Sullivan swooped to sign four players. Defender Chris Boulter, striker Kwabena Agyei and midfielder Michael Morgan have signed for Leatherhead as well as Mark Simmons who joins Sullivan as player-coach. Barry Peacock has also left Moatside to take up the assistant manager's position with the Tanners while John Heath has made the move to run Leatherhead's reserves. However, there was some good news for Merstham supporters as Captain Craig Vernon pledged his future to the East Surrey club. Sullivan left Merstham after nine years at the end of the season and last month the Surrey Mirror exclusively revealed his intention to return to his former club to sign some of its star players. And the raid may not be over yet as the manager confirmed he wants to make more additions to his squad before the start of pre-season later this month.

Having been informed by the Mirror of the players' intentions to leave, new manager Graeme Banyard said their decision was a blow but not unexpected. "I'm not too surprised to be honest with you," he said. "That's the way football works and if I was Mick Sullivan I would probably have done the same thing. They have a lot of affection for Mick and we knew when we came in here that it was a possibility that we would lose a few players to Leatherhead. But it's not the end of the world as we have an endless list of players and we only want players here who want to play for Merstham. All four of those players were offered deals that we thought were competitive but it seems they have decided to go elsewhere. I hold no grudges as that is what happens at our level of football."

One player who seems set to stay on Moatside is centre-back Vernon, who has given his backing to Banyard and the new management team. He said: "As far as I'm concerned I am 110 per cent a Merstham player and am fully committed to the club. I love it down there and it's like my second home. I've known Graeme for a long time and I think everyone will now get behind him." Vernon admitted talking to Sullivan since his departure but denied a move to the Tanners had ever been discussed. "I spoke to him a couple of days after he joined them just to wish him luck but we didn't talk about me going with him and he certainly didn't invite me down there," he said. "We all love him and we wish him luck, but not when he is playing us." And Vernon added he can't wait for pre-season training to start. “I'm just desperate to get going again, I feel like a spare part outside the football season. I'll give myself this week to relax then I'll get down the gym again. We had a good first season up and if we had been a bit better at beating the poorer sides like Chipstead, Corinthian Casuals and Leatherhead we might even have made the play-offs."