Sullivan's delight as Hutchings commits himself to Tanners

By djones bydaniel jones daniel.jones@essnmedia.co.uk

LEATHERHEAD boss Mick Sullivan has confirmed last season's top scorer Tom Hutchings will spearhead his new look Tanners side.

Hutchings signed on the dotted line at Sullivan's first training session with the squad on Tuesday evening.

The confirmation of the striker's commitment was a welcome boost to Sullivan as big-spending Croydon Athletic had been making enquiries about the highly-rated Hutchings.

"Tom has signed up for the season, which is great news," said Sullivan. "He's a really exciting prospect and I'm looking forward to working with him again.

"I had him down at Merstham when he was just a 16-year-old and he actually played a few games for the first team, but moved onto to AFC Wimbledon.

"He's come on a lot since then and is a top player. There was interest from Croydon Athletic but he decided to stay with us.

"I think he was pleased with my appointment and he wants the club to go places which is what we're all aiming for. It's a big boost."

Sullivan also confirmed the signings of Dominic O'Shea and Josh Smith from Chipstead, while Leatherhead's player of the year last season goalkeeper Chris Lewington has left the club for League Two Dagenham & Redbridge.

"Dominic is a good striker and Josh plays on the right of midfield," said Sullivan. "They're both excellent additions to the squad.

"Chris has been offered a contract at Dagenham & Redbridge and you can't begrudge him that. We've got Craig Bradshaw in from Walton Casuals and he's an excellent keeper, he'll be first choice this season."

A staggering 75 players attended the session on Tuesday night and while delighted at the numbers, Sullivan knows he faces a daunting prospect of selecting who he wants and who he will let go.

"It was fantastic to get that many down there," he said. "It shows you the level of interest in the club.

"But, obviously we're only going to be running two teams and we will have to let a lot of that group go. The danger is that you miss out on a few quality players, as we just haven't got room for them all.

"I'll organise a couple of trial matches before our pre-season proper kicks off, and we will identify all the ones we want to keep that way.

"In the future I'd like to run a third and fourth team, that way you can keep hold of all the young talent that isn't quite ready for the first team."

As well as the new faces Sullivan is satisfied that the majority of the main players from last year's squad will remain.

And, despite the massive numbers to choose from, Sullivan believes he already has a fair idea of his starting 11.

"Kev Terry has signed on which I'm pleased about," he said. "Iain Hendry and Stuart Holmes will be here as well and all the ones that I wanted to keep have said they want to stay.

"With the guys I've got over from Merstham too I'm pretty close to knowing who will be in my team.

"There might be one or two more we pick up or lose during pre-season, but it's all looking pretty positive at the moment."