First New Rebels Put Pen-to-Paper

Steve Bateman has announced his first new signings as he looks to finally break Slough Town's run of near misses....

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Published 2nd July 2012

Ashley Deeney

.....and secure promotion from the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central this coming season.

The Rebels boss has brought in left-sided player Dominic Rhone from league rivals AFC Hayes while also snapped up brothers Dave and Ashley Deeney.

Dave Deeney, who Bateman plans to use as a central midfielder, has arrived from Hemel Hempstead Town, while Ashley featured for St Neots Town and King`s Lynn Town.

Bateman told the Maidenhead Advertiser: “Dominic is a very good player and did well against us last season for AFC Hayes.

“He is very athletic and gets up and down the pitch well which is something I’m looking to add to the squad.

“Dave I had with me at Hemel and he was a key player whether it was at right-back or in central midfield. He puts his foot in and will be ideal for us with the way he plays the game in the middle of the park.

“He will be an enforcer type of player but there is more to his game than that, he’s a good footballer.”

The Rebels boss added: “I’m excited to have a guy like Ashley join us - he’s young, strong, quick and mobile.

“He’s played well against us when we've come up against him and I watched him come through the youth ranks at Luton Town.

“Ashley’s a top player, I see him as a right wing back who will give us bags of energy down that side.”

With the Rebels returning to pre-season next week, Bateman admits he is still in talks to add some more new faces to his squad.

He has held discussions with the likes of Burnham defender Will Dunlop and Windsor FC striker Michael Chennells, although he believes Chennells will be going elsewhere.

“I’ve spoken to Michael but I think he's going to pitch up at Chesham United,” he said. “We had a couple of good conversations but the way he was talking I think he'll end up over there.

“I’ve had a bit of contact with Will and if he's available and fit then it's something we’ll look at.

“A fit and committed Will Dunlop is a good player at this level.”

Players arriving at a club often means others are moved on and Bateman has confirmed that a couple of familiar faces will not be around this season.

Winger Steve Sinclair has moved on from Holloways Park, midfielder Paul Coyne is going travelling for the year, while right winger Steve Sinclair has also left the club.

The Rebels boss said: “Steve has been a fantastic player for me for three different clubs now but he will be starting the season with a seven or eight-game ban.

“Last season was frustrating for him - I don’t think where we play suits his game at all.

“So I have added something different in wide areas, I’ve gone for a bit more pace and energy rather than the trickery and guile that Steve brought.”

Bateman is expecting the likes of James Warrington, Nathan Bowden-Haase, Dave Woozley, Alex Brown, Adam Logie and Ollie Burgess back for pre-season training this week.

Strikers Danny Burnell and Sean Sonner are also returning while the Rebels boss is set to hold further talks with Ben Abbey, Steve Perkins and Danny Murphy to find out what their intentions are.

Forward Jerome Anderson has offers on the table from clubs in the Blue Square Bet South and Bateman is waiting to hear what he decides to do.

[Source: Maidenhead Advertiser]