Men's football news
Two new Rooks are available for selection for our first home game of the season against Bright-lingsea Regent.
Direct and pacy winger Tom Bolarinwa joins the Lewes forward line. Having spent most of the past five years with Sutton United in the National South and National League, with a spell with Grimsby Town in League Two in between, Bolarinwa will bring proven quality to the Rooks front-line. Manager Hugo said: “I’m very familiar with Tom and his quality from my time in the National South and as soon as I heard he was available, I moved quickly to bring him into the team. Tom will add a different dimension to our attacking play and I’m sure the fans will love him. I want to to record my appreciation to Peter Palmer at Beckenham Town for helping us with getting a deal done with Tom”.
Also joining the Rooks is central midfielder Jude Arthurs. Jude joins on dual registration from Bromley and goes straight into the squad for today’s game. Hugo said: “I’ve heard great things about Jude and he was very impressive in training on Thursday night”. The gaffer added “Jude has good workmate and is really good on the ball so will fit into the way we want to play. I want to say a quick thanks to Smudge (Neil Smith) the Bromley manager for allowing Jude to dual register with us”.
“Jude Arthurs is a very promising young player with potential. He did so well in our Professional Development Squad (U23s) last year and we invited him to pre-season. He has excelled so far and really developed so we’ve made the decision to sign him as a First Year Pro, meaning he will be a part of my squad.” Commented Bromley boss, and ex-Rooks Assistant Manager, Neil Smith.
As fans at our either of our past two games will know, the signings add those made in the past week of defender Fintan Walsh, midfielders Merrick James-Lewis and Kiye Martin and Jaden Owusu-Nepaul who plays up front.
As you may have seen from Social Media, Theo Widdrington signed for Havant & Waterlooville on a full-time contract after a short spell during Pre-season.
Sadly departing the club is Alex Malins. Alex joined us on work experience in 2013 before return-ing on loan from Crawley Town in March 2014 and signing permanently that summer.
Comfortable at centre back, full back and centre midfield, Alex has become a regular member of the squad over the past five years and was voted Manager’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year in 2015/16. His Rooks career was hampered by injury but he always gave 100% for the team and will be missed at The Dripping Pan.
The Club would like to place on record its appreciation to Alex for his time with us and wish him all the best for the future.