New signings as town plan for new season

MELKSHAM Town has announced a number of signings ahead of the new season with several familiar faces also returning.

Joining the club for the 20/21 season from Thatcham Town FC will be Joe Selman; and making the move from Bristol Manor Farm will be Alan Griffin.

Manager of Melksham Town FC Richard Fey said, “Joe is a very good player who scored goals last season for Thatcham until he picked up a bad injury against us before Christmas. I was after Joe last pre-season but now we’ve managed to tie him down. I’m very excited as I know he will strengthen us. The supporters will be pleased and I can’t wait to start working with him and of course all of the loyal lads who are sticking together.”

“Joe is an attacking player, who usually plays as a winger but is also happy in the number 10 role. He spent many years with Bristol City as a youngster before signing for Swindon Supermarine and then most recently Thatcham Town.”

Joe added, “I’m very happy to have signed for Melksham Town FC and I’m excited to be playing football again – especially at a club with the best facilities, fans and ambition in the league. Hopefully I can help the team achieve this year, carrying on from the success they had last year. I can’t wait to get back and get the season started.”

Alan Griffin joins the club with a wealth of experience having previously played for Corsham Town, Chippenham Town, Mangotsfield United, Cirencester Town and most recently Bristol Manor Farm. Alan’s experience and know-how of scoring vital goals will undoubtedly be a huge asset to the club going forward this season.

Manager Richard said, “Alan is a good experienced centre forward who has scored goals wherever he has been. Griff scored 33 goals two seasons ago at Cirencester and last season finished the season with Bristol Manor Farm. He is a good lad with a great attitude and will replace Steve Murray who has decided to drop a level and join Cribbs FC.”

Alan added, “I’m very happy to have signed for Melksham for the season ahead and I’m looking forward to playing football again after a long break, especially as the facilities Melksham have are superb. Hopefully I can help the team achieve success on the field this year, carrying on from a great season the lads had last year. I can’t wait to get started!”

Back for another season

Also returning to the club for the 20/21 season are a number of players who helped the club reach a play-off place in the Southern League Division One before the league was cancelled by the FA due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The club reports, “Melksham Town FC are pleased to announce that Ollie Webb has re-signed for the 20/21 season. Ollie has been at the club for the last 2/3 seasons and has proven to be a very valuable player to the club. He is very versatile who has scored some very important goals in his time at Melksham.”

Ollie said, “I’m really looking forward to a good pre-season and getting back to where we left off last season. We have a great set of lads with an excellent team spirit and we’re all looking forward to seeing our loyal supporters as soon as we’re allowed to get back playing.”

About the resigning of Sayeed Ibrahim, the club said, “From his debut in 2011, he has been a loyal and dependable member of the club. Comfortable anywhere in the back line, he has good pace and is aided by dangerous long throws, which can effectively become a corner when attacking. He is a good role model for the younger lads in the squad.

Sayeed said, “I’ve been involved and enjoyed some great memories at this club over the last 10 years, therefore it was an easy decision for me to re-sign for my home town club. We’ve got a good honest group of lads here and if we stick together like we did after the tough start to last season, we can achieve more success and compete towards promotion again moving forward.”

About the resigning of Liam Monelle, the club said, “Liam is a young player who started his career with Bristol City. He has since had spells with Bath City, Frome Town, Paulton Rovers and Yate Town. He was highly rated at Paulton Rovers during his time there, and was their ‘Supporters’ Player of the Year’ a few seasons ago. Liam is a highly energetic and combative midfielder.”

Liam said, “I am buzzing to sign on again this season for such a great club. I’m looking forward to get back out playing after such a long period out of football. We ended very strong last season and we are more than capable of carrying that on this season with the players we have.”

Luke Ballinger will also be returning. The club said, “’Bally’ is a versatile player with plenty of experience. Luke is the holder of a record number of England futsal caps at over 100. He has featured in a variety of positions for the club at either right back, right mid or up top.”

Luke said, “An easy decision to sign again for my 6th full season at the club. This pre-season has been a lot easier after last season being on the phone to Rich, trying to get a squad together. Looking to continue to build where we finished off from last season and see where it takes us. We have a good group of lads that are all wanting to go in the same direction. Keep up the brilliant support as it is really appreciated and let’s look forward to hopefully another positive season.”

Earlier last month the club announced that Albie Hopkins, Josh Ford, Jamie Bartlett, Jack Ball, Dave Thompson, Will Christopher, Phil Ormrod, Matt Hurley, and Aidan Chainey would all be returning for the 20/21 season. And also announced that Ryan Bole would be returning to the club from Westbury United; and that the club had signed Adam Kelly from Thatcham Town FC.