A collection of new Tanners

Prior to Saturday's victory over Merstham, Leatherhead boss Hayden Bird added more than half a team to his squad with the arrivals of Dan Hector, Harry Osborne, Ollie Allen, Lewis Pearch, Maxwell Mullins and Michael Elechi- and four of them were immediately thrust into the squad.

Dan Hector was playing for Sevenoaks Town as recently as last Wednesday night, and scored the winner for the Tanners on Saturday. It must have been a little bittersweet for home supporters, as Dan came through the youth setup at Merstham before joining the first team whilst Tanners boss Hayden Bird was in charge there. He later played for Croydon and Whyteleafe before moving to Kingstonian, where he made thirty five appearances and scored five goals before the 2019-20 campaign came to an end. He then joined Leatherhead, playing six times during what we had of 2020-21, ending that season at Carshalton Athletic. He spent most of last season as a Robin, eighteen appearances with six goals, and has already played sixteen times for Sevenoaks this season.

Harry Osbourne, a defender, has most recently been with Horsham, where he moved in the summer. He played for Bird at both Merstham and Kingstonian, and in between the two spent time in the National League with Braintree Town.

He previously played for Welling United, both on loan from Charlton Athletic and after a permanent deal was agreed.

Ollie Allen comes in on loan from Dorking Wanderers, where he is rather highly rated. Ollie spent some last season on loan with Kingstonian, playing six times, and some more of it on loan at Chipstead, where he played fourteen times. He ended the campaign with Haywards Heath Town, making ten appearances and playing a big part in their run to the Play Off Semi-Finals, and has already had a spell with Burgess Hill Town this season, playing four times.

Lewis Pearch is also a Hayden old boy, having played for his new boss at both Merstham and Kingstonian. The winger has played eight times for fellow Pitching In Isthmian South Central side Chipstead this season.

Full back Maxwell Mullins comes in on loan from Aldershot Town. He signed his first professional deal with the club in the summer, after impressing at youth and Under 23 level. He spent time on loan with the Tanners last season, playing twice- but we'd missed that as the Tanners used eighty six players last season. Sorry Maxwell!

Michael Elechi, a defender, was part of the youth setup at Manchester United but has spent most of his young career with Ocford United, playing at Under 21 level. he has had loan spells with Oxford City and Chippenham Town, both at National League South level, and also spent time with Pitching In Southern Premier side Salisbury before leaving Oxford earlier this year.

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