The Club is pleased to officially announce the signing of midfielder and dead ball specialist Wayne Wilson, as boss Darren Hare continues to develop his First Team squad ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
Twenty-nine year old Wilson played for Charlton Athletic's Academy as a junior, and has since built an excellent reputation in the non-league game during spells with the likes of Bromley, Margate and Faversham Town.
He finished last season at Ramsgate, scoring the Kent side's opening goal when United visited the Southwood Stadium in April. That followed a stint as player/manager with Whitstable Town, and he will hope to lend some of that leadership experience to assist with coaching duties at the Pilot Field.
Negotiations are also in progress with an experienced goalkeeper with a Football League pedigree, who could potentially feature for the U's in their opening friendly fixture at home to a Brighton & Hove Albion XI on Wednesday evening. Kick off is at 7.45pm and, as will be the case for all home First Team pre-season matches, admission costs will be £6 for adults, £4 for concessions, and free for under 18s.
"Putting a new squad together has been a delicate balancing exercise." said Dave Nessling, speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors. "The Club needs to give itself the best possible chance of achieving promotion, and that has necessitated the signing of some quality and experienced players. The Club also wishes to encourage youth development though. which it will do through its Under 21 Development Squad and Under 19 Academy, plus its new Under 14 and Under 15 Development Squads.
The draws for the opening rounds of the 2016/17 FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup were made today, with United handed away trips in all three competitions.
In the preliminary round of the FA Cup on 20 August, the U's face the intriguing prospect of a return visit to Cray Valley (PM), the two teams having met at the same stage last season, when United ran out 3-0 winners. The Londoners will have to get past an away tie against Southern Combination League Division One side Southwick first though.
The FA Trophy preliminary round draw has paired the U's with Division One South rivals Ramsgate on 8 October, with the winners to entertain either Aylesbury United or Chatham Town in the first qualifying round.
In the FA Youth Cup, meanwhile, United's younger generation could also find themselves off to Ramsgate in the first qualifying round during the week commencing 19 September, should the Kent side overcome Erith & Belvedere in their preliminary round tie.
