Chennells Steps Back Up With Chesham

Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Chesham United have signed experienced striker Michael Chennells....

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Published 10th July 2012

Michael Chennells

....from Combined Counties League neighbours Windsor FC.

Chennells made a sensational return to Stag Meadow in December, scoring twenty-five goals in just twenty-two appearances as Windsor ended their inaugural season as runners-up in the Combined Counties Premier Division.

But the fans' favourite admitted the opportunity to once again play Southern Premier football was too good to refuse.

Chennells, 26, turned down interest from Windsor's rivals Slough Town to sign for the Generals and linked up with his new team-mates for pre-season training last week.

Speaking to the Windsor Observer about his decision to quit Stag Meadow, he said: "It's been a difficult decision to take and been tough to leave Windsor.

"I love it, the club and the fans are great.

"It's definitely been a tough decision, made harder because I went back into training with the boys, but I'm not getting any younger.

"To be honest I want to give it a go at a higher level again.

"I didn't get a proper crack of the whip at Brackley Town and things deteriorated at Windsor & Eton.

"Chesham are looking to go places and looking to get out of the league. Everyone I've spoken to has been very complimentary about the club.

"I know a few of the boys already like Steve Bruce and I want to test myself again.

"Windsor manager Keith Scott obviously wanted me to stay. He's got the best out of me and got my confidence back."

Scott, a former professional striker himself, insisted Chennells' decision to leave was not money orientated and admitted he'll still be keeping tabs on the goal machine.

He said: "Michael came and spoke to me a couple of weeks ago and told me Slough had made him a fantastic offer - a ludicrously fantastic offer - and Chesham had made him a fantastic offer as well.

"If the decision was made on money then he would have gone to Slough but he's not money orientated. Slough's offer was head and shoulders above Chesham's and ludicrous at this level to be honest."

Scott continued: "Michael has a burning desire to play at Southern Premier level but he doesn't need to prove anything - he can play there and at the next level.

"I've got no problem with that, he goes with my blessing, but I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the situation and if it doesn't work out I'll be the first to touch base again.

"I don't see any reason why Michael can't help Chesham achieve what they want to do."

And the Windsor supremo insists he'll be keeping faith in his current attacking options - such as last year's top scorer Ryan O'Toole - rather than looking for a replacement adding: "There will not be a replacement for Michael.

"We brought Leeyon Phelan in, he had been out for a year but came back in great shape and we've got Ryan O'Toole, Yashwa Romeo, Ben Harris and Rob Lazarczuk.

"I'm not actively looking to go out searching for another striker."

[Source: Windsor Observer]