Feature - two new signings

We have moved to strengthen our defence ahead of the new Ryman South season beginning in August, writes James Barrett.

While our forwards were scoring for fun last season, and the style of play favoured by player/manager Peter Adeniyi won us many admirers, only two clean sheets since the turn of the year tells another side of our last season as we narrowly missed out on a play-off position.

Cheadle (pic: waltoncasuals.com)

We have swooped for the services of defender Jordan Cheadle, whom also scored an impressive 20 goals for Walton Casuals last season, and centre back Danny Dudley, whom was a driving force behind Corinthian Casuals reaching the play-off final in April.

Cheadle, comfortable at centre or left back, said he was delighted to join Adeniyi's revolution and revealed that now was the right time to do so.

"Peter made an approach for me back at Christmas but I decided to stay at Walton as the two clubs were in a similar position at the time," said the 27 year-old who has also played for Kingstonian and Merstham.

"But the two clubs spoke again recently and I was keen to join up. Peter made me feel very wanted and he hopes my experience will help his young squad go one better next season."

The goalscoring defender played in every game for Walton last season and he hopes to carry his consistent form on into the next one.

"I'm proud to have played so much and to have also chipped in with so many goals. I think I'll bring a bit of extra physicality to the Carshalton squad and hopefully the goals keep coming too," Cheadle smiled.

"I think the club has a real chance of achieving promotion next season, the club has backed its talented young players and I want to be a major part of that push."

Dudley, meanwhile, was a penalty kick away from play-off final glory in April after he and his Corinthian Casuals team-mates lost a dramatic shoot-out 5-4 against Dorking Wanderers.

The 26-year old revealed Adeniyi got in contact a few days after that heartbreak but moving clubs wasn't a decision he took lightly.

"That defeat was still pretty raw so I did take a few days to think everything over before officially meeting with Peter and Paul Dipre," said Dudley.

Dudley (pic: Stuart Tree)

"I was impressed with my local club's ambition, like who they want to sign and the desire for promotion, and so I was happy to join."

Like Cheadle, Dudley also believes he could add some extra steel to our homegrown squad.

"Having played against Carshalton in the past, I know they have a good core of young players and it's great the club spends time on developing them," he added.

"But I feel I can bring a bit of extra bite to the squad and perhaps that will rub off on some of the younger ones. Carshalton scored a lot last season but hopefully I can help them keep more clean sheets than they did."

In other news, we have announced pre-season friendlies against the likes of Charlton Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and AFC Wimbledon. Full details can be found on elsewhere on this site.