Squad News

A strong combination of familiar names and new faces make up this season’s squad

With pre-season almost complete manager Ajay Ashanike has been able to finalise his playing squad for the start of the 2020-21 season.

A number of last season squad have been retained and some exciting young players have been added with some familiar faces returning to St Pauls.

We have retained goalkeeper Christian Villanucci, and Daniel Carpanani has returned to the club after spells at Meridian and AFC Croydon Athletic. Charlie Payne also returns to compete for the goalkeeper’s jersey after a short spell at Erith & Belvedere last year.

The defence will have a familiar look, with last season’s fullbacks Luke Thomas, Chris Lockwood and Ryan Atkinson along with centre halves Melvin Adesida and Sam Fitzgerald all being retained. Defensive options have been strengthened with the return from injury of Michael Williams who joined twelve months ago from FC Romania but his rehabilitation did not allow him to appear. Peter Ojemen has joined from Welling Town where he was a regular starter. Dada Popoola formerly of Barking and Rayane Ouandjli from CD Fatima of the Portuguese third division (subject to international clearance) will both compete for game time.

In midfield there will be a lot of competition for places. Julio DaMata, Jacob Katonia, Rob Brown, Manny Sackey have all been retained. New signings include Adam Smith from Bridon Ropes, the widely experienced Ade Cole who has played for a number of Isthmian clubs including Bishop’s Stortford and Grays Athletic. Brazilian born William Rocha who signed for Leeds United as a youngster joins from London Tigers and Fuad Ibrahim has arrived from Barking.

Attacking options will include Malaki Coker, Roddy Lemba and Christian Udo who all appeared last season along with return for Wale Odedoyin and exciting winger Jamie Yila after spells away. New faces looking to be amongst the goals include Josh Biddlecombe from Tunbridge Wells, Michael Sarpong from FC Elmstead, and youngster Jack Gibbons from Wealdstone. Additionally dual signing options have been taken up with Lewis Francis and Greg Akpele but they will be predominantly used by their parent clubs, Saffron Walden Town and Witham Town.