An Ites trio

Sheppey United have strengthened their defence with the loan signing of Rotherham United's Eduard Mare.

An Under 18 with Rotherham, the defender -although we've also confusingly seen him listed as a forward- is with the Ites for a month. Earlier in his career- in his early teens- he spent time with the Charlton Athletic Academy, and we suspect, unless there are two players with the same name, that he is the same Eduard Mare who was at that time playing Under 13 football with Cray Wanderers.

He was part of the Rotherham side which reached the Youth Alliance Cup Final last season, and indeed scored the winner in the Semi-Final, but had to be content with a runners up medal in the showpiece, which saw United defeated by MK Dons- coincidentally due to two goals from Tommy Blennerhassett, who you might remember spent some time on loan at Lancing.

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The Ites also welcomed goalkeeper Jayden Peglar on a loan of one month from Colchester United, and he made his debut in Saturday's defeat to Merstham. Jayden generally keeps goal for the Under 18 side, with occasional forays into the Under 21 squad. This appearas to be his first senior spell, unless you know different!

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Finally, another Saturday debutant- Dan Johnson came in on loan from South East title chasers Ramsgate.

Dan joined the Rams in the summer from Herne Bay, where he had two spells. In his first, he made almost a century of appearances, and after departing played for Bromley and Dartford. During his time at Hayes Lane he also became an England C international.

He then spent time with Margate before returning to Bay for the defunct 20-212 campaign, before playing a full part in securing his side promotion during 21-22, playing fifty times. He was also ever-present as his side failed to retain their Pitching In Isthmian Premier status last season, playing forty two times. This season has seen him make nineteen Rams appearances.

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Image- Marc Richards

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