Bullish Edwards warns off critics

By David Watters

Billericay Town

Billericay Town manager Craig Edwards is taking inspiration from his first season in charge of the Blues and warning critics not to write off the Ryman League's new boys.

Edwards, pictured, started the work of rebuilding a side relegated from Conference South this week with two key signings. He says he's also drawing confidence from his side's title-winning campaign in the Ryman Premier of two years ago as he sets about his summer revamp.

The Blues manager told the Billericay Gazette: "The first season we had a successful season at Billericay. We won the Essex Senior Cup and were only four points off the play-offs. And we let Ian Cousins, who was our captain, Adam Flanagan, Micah Hyde, who's played 700 League games, and James Lawson go.

"They were our most senior players because I felt we needed to freshen it up. Everyone wrote us off, saying we'd struggle but we won the league."

Edwards opened his summer business account with swoops for striker James Robinson who hit 25 goals for Maldon in Ryman Division One North and Horsham midfielder Callum Dunne.

Edwards is confident both can step in and help the Blues get off to good start on their return to the Ryman League.

"I saw him [Robinson] a few times last season, the chairman saw him and we had people watching their games and we had some good reports back about him," revealed the Blues manager.

"I thought he looked really good. He's intelligent, he works, he's two-footed and I just think he's a good player so he's a good signing for us. I'm sure he can make the step up."

Midfielder Dunne, 20, has swapped Sussex for Essex by joining the Blues, and his manager expects him to shine in his new-look side.

Edwards added: "He's the type of midfield player I really admire – he's got a great engine, he can keep the ball, he can play but he loves a tackle as well. He'll make us competitive, his work-rate is what we were looking for and he can play with it so I'm really pleased to get Callum in."

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