Chatham Town manager Kevin Hake can’t wait to get to work with some of his new arrivals.
It’s been a busy week at the Bauvill Stadium with news of several new faces as Hake rebuilds ahead of another promotion charge in the Isthmian Premier.
Four new faces have been added to the squad, including an experienced former Premier League midfielder Hake described as a “born winner” and a striker who he has long admired.
Hake, commenting at the start of the week after the announcement of former Gills captain Stuart O’Keefe and striker Brad Sach, said: “We are delighted to announce those signings and we welcome them both to Chatham Town.
“When we heard Stuart may be available it was a no-brainer to bring him in.
“He has a wealth of experience and is a born winner and I expect him to have a big impact at the club.
“Brad is a player we have long admired and has consistently been one of the top strikers around for the past three seasons. Both have fully bought into the project and I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Central midfielder Charlie Harris was the third of Hake’s summer signings, joining from Whitehawk.
Harris progressed through Brighton’s youth structure and had spells at Aldershot and Barnsley before playing for the Hawks and Horsham.
Harris, 28, said: “The quality of football and the way [Chatham] play is the most important thing for me. I’m really excited to get started.”
Striker Sach, 23, joins from Canvey Island. He’s netted 35 goals for the Essex side over the past two seasons and has played for Boreham Wood.
Former Dover Athletic defender Charlie Naylor has also joined Chatham.
The 23-year-old centre-half made 42 appearances for Whites last season in National South.
Among those signing on again for the new season are Sid Nelson, Khale Da Costa, Sam Sene-Richardson, Jordy Robins, Simon Cooper and captain Jack Evans.
Right-back Miguel Scarlett is also returning for the 2024/25 season.
The former Gillingham player has been called up for Guyana for their CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers and was an unused substitute in their 2-0 defeat away to Panama.
Chats’ experienced campaigner Matt Bodkin, meanwhile, has returned from Thailand with a Seniors World Cup winners’ medal after helping England to success in the annual tournament.
He played in a veterans team that also included Whitstable Town manager Jamie Coyle - who was captaining the side - and former Gills player Ian Cox.
It was the seventh time that England had won the Seniors World Cup, beating New Zealand 1-0 in the final.
