Martin hails his heroes

Four more players and a returning familiar face signed for Ryman League Romford on Tuesday.

The Ryman North club's manager Paul Martin hailed the signatures of Kurt Smith, Michael Sammut, Lewis Francis and Aime Blessing, along with the return of Ryan Imbert to Ship Lane after a spell with Thurrock, as 'great for the club'.

Boro are looking to build on their eighth place finish last season when the new campaign kicks off next month and Martin said: "You can't argue with who you know. It's great for the club to sign them again."

On Imbert's return from the Premier Division, Martin told the Romford Recorder: "Imbert gives us a different outlet. Sometimes in matches you have to change formations and Ryan can fit into that.

"It’s great that he has come back to join us, but we would never stop anyone from playing in a higher league. Some lads go up to a higher level and if it doesn’t work out for them they always seem to come back to us.”

Romford hosted an open trial in June attended by more than 200 players and a delighted Martin also revealed on Tuesday that the exercise had helped him sign three new players.

Martin added: "The trials have given us a good right-back, centre back and central midfielder. I think we’re going to start this season with the strongest squad we’ve ever had.

"It'll be tough during the season as I am going to have to keep players happy with rotations. I have no favourites so if a player is playing well, he’ll play. There are going to be players fighting for every shirt."