Hollands & Blair manager Luke Jessup believes “wing wizard” Ryan Hayes still has plenty to offer.
Hayes, now 38, played close to 600 games for Dartford, helping take them to the top of the non-league pyramid, enjoying three promotions and contributing 108 goals along the way.
Since leaving Princes Park in 2020, he’s had spells at Sevenoaks, Chatham and most recently Phoenix Sports, where he was a key man in their promotion back to the Isthmian League. Last season he managed another 10 goals and took on a player-assistant manager role.
Jessup wants success at Blair and believes Hayes can add a bit of star quality to the squad.
“He’s in the best shape that I’ve seen him in for a while,” said Jessup.
“He is a bit older now but he knows he has to keep himself in shape and I was pleasantly surprised when I met him. He’s keeping himself in good condition.
“He is not short of confidence, he knows he can still mix it and I think we have done well there.
“We’ll be looking to keep him out wide, or maybe in the 10 [position]. We know he has a bit of magic in his feet and we’re over the moon with that signing.”
Former Gillingham scholar George Sheminant has also joined.
The left-sided defender played for the Gills from aged eight to 18. He signed for Chatham after leaving Priestfield in 2019 and has been at Whitstable for the past two seasons.
Jessup said: “We targeted George since when we came in, he was one of the first phone calls we made back at Christmas time. I have known Shem from old and it’s great that we have got him over the line.
“He’s a massive addition for us, gives a bit of balance on that left side and obviously he has been about and has a bit of experience. When he told me a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to come over, that he was ready to commit, I couldn’t have been happier.
“He was super keen and he has messaged me saying he’s already started his pre-season, trying to get himself in the best shape possible, which every manager wants to hear.”
Blair have also brought in defender Ashley Sains, who previously helped Sheppey United to the Southern Counties East Premier Division title, picking up the players’ player of the year award during their quadruple-trophy season.
Prior to that, he helped Cray Valley to promotion from the same division and played at Wembley in the 2019 FA Vase Final.
Sains is joined at Blair by George Monger, who have both arrived from fellow Premier Division side Snodland Town.
Jessup said: “We are quite happy so far [with our recruitment], it’s only early but it’s going okay.
“We have kept the majority from last season, we appreciate one or two might move on, but we invited everyone to stay. We’re still in the holiday, limbo period, where people are making up their minds but we have four in so far and two or three we’re waiting to hear on.
“We have a strong squad but just feel a sprinkling of magic on top, giving us a bit of quality in different areas, gives us every chance of getting out of this league as soon as possible.”
