Stadium: Len Forge Centre (Capacity: 350)
2022/23 Table Position: 2nd (Essex Olympian League Premier Division)
2022/23 Top Scorer: Aaron Baldwin (24)
Manager: Simon Thomas
Nickname: The Essex Bhoys
On Saturday afternoon Concord Rangers begin their pre-season schedule with Sammy Collins' new look side taking on Catholic United at Seevic College.
Following the departure of manager Rob Small in May former Beach Boy Collins took the reigns at the Aspect Arena as the club prepares for step three football for the first time in a decade.
Collins has added to his back room staff with Curtis Ujuah, Alex O'Leary and Danny Clare taking up the roles of assistant manager, first team coach and goalkeeper coach respectively.
As well as change off the pitch there has been plenty of change on it as well. Lewis Manor and Mitchell Beeney have departed to last seasons National League South playoff semi-finalists Dartford, whilst Alex Hernandez and Nana Kyei have switched to step two new boys Aveley. Defensive duo Aron Pollock and Louis Ramsay have both left to local rivals Billericay Town and midfielders Jack Munns and Quentin Monville have moved to Hornchurch. Jimmy Wallace has also departed the club - joining Cheshunt who were relegated alongside Concord last term.
Collins has filled these gaps with 13 new faces arriving at the Aspect Arena. Following Beeney's departure Hornchurch shot stopper Lamar Johnson has re-joined the club 12 years after his first spell. The Saint Lucia international did play against Rangers last season for Hornchurch in the BBC Essex Senior Cup semi-final.
In defence exciting youngsters Zack Littlejohn and Luke Ige have joined from Brightlingsea Regent and Witham Town whilst the experienced Sean Bonnett-Johnson arrives from Kingstonian.
In midfield club legend James White is back in yellow and blue having spent last season with Great Wakering Rovers. Further experience has been added through the acquisition of Fabion Simms and the retention of Ricky Modeste. Khale Da Costa has returned for a second spell from Enfield Town with Luca Albon, Dominic Locke, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown and Kwai Marsh-Brown all signing for the club.
In attack Joe Gardner returns for a third spell with the club and Alfie Cue comes in from Cheshunt as the clubs new number nine.
Tomorrows opponents Catholic compete in the Essex Olympian Premier Division, step seven of the non-league system, with the Essex Bhoys finishing second in the table last season.
However Simon Thomas' side were able to pick up some silverware at the end of the campaign with Catholic winning the Olympian League Senior Cup with in May following a convincing 3-0 win over Toby FC.
They've played for both
Harrison Day
One of two current Concord players who spent part of last season on loan at Catholic, striker Harrison Day enjoyed a successful spell with the Essex Bhoys that saw him rack up 21 goal contributions.
Day popped up with ten goals and eleven assists in 15 appearances for United; averaging 1.4 goal contributions per game.
When with Concord Day impressed in the under 18's by bagging over 50 goals last season. This rich vein of form saw him rewarded with seven appearances for the first team.
Day scored his first senior goal on his debut for Concord in a 4-2 defeat to Harrow Borough in the FA Trophy last term.
Jack Leech
Similarly to Day, Jack Leech played on loan at Catholic from Concord last season making 34 appearances and picking up two assists.
Leech broke into the Concord first team at the back end of the last campaign with the defender making his debut as a substitute against Dartford.
Leech then followed this up with a first start for the club on the final day which saw him get a full 90 minutes under his belt in a defeat at Eastbourne Borough.
Form
Catholic United
W - 3-2 vs Sungate (A)
W - 5-1 vs Shenfield AFC (H)
L - 0-1 Runwell Sports (A)
W - 3-0 vs Toby FC (N) - Olympian League Senior Cup
Concord Rangers
W - 2-0 vs Hampton & Richmond Borough (H)
D - 0-0 vs Dulwich Hamlet (A)
L - 3-4 vs Havant and Waterlooville (H)
L - 1-2 vs Eastbourne Borough (A)
Squad
Here is how Concord currently line-up ahead of their first pre-season friendly.
Goalkeepers
- Lamar Johnson
Defenders
- Sean Bonnett-Johnson
- Joe Burton
- Luke Ige
- Callum Knowlden
- Jack Leech
- Zack Littlejohn
- Ben Steward
Midfielders
- Luca Albon
- Khale Da Costa
- Dominic Locke
- Kwai Marsh-Brown
- Kyjuon Marsh-Brown
- Ricky Modeste
- Fabion Simms
- James White
Attackers
- Alfie Cue
- Harrison Day
- Joe Gardner
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