*BS*Latest news from Blue Square Bet South*BF*
With the league season just a month away, clubs are stepping up their search for new players.
We start our round-up with a familiar name returning to Essex…
*BS*Thurrock*BF* have welcomed back former Barnet striker Cliff Akurang. He made 121 appearances in two previous spells at Ship Lane, scoring 48 goals.
www.nln24.com reported: One of those goals was the classic against Luton Town in the FA Cup first round replay on 18th November 2003 which Luton won 3-1.
Manager Hakan Hayrettin said: “I am extremely pleased with Cliff, he knows I can get the best out of him which will benefit both parties.”
*BS*Braintree*BF* have completed the signing of former Colchester striker Jamie Guy. The 22 year-old striker played over 50 times for the U’s before leaving the club for Grays Athletic in January 2010.
Guy is a replacement for last season’s top scorer George Purcell, who has joined York City. A former Ebbsfleet forward, Purcell scored 22 goals in 44 games for the Iron.
Braintree have also lost several defenders to Blue Square Bet South new boys Dartford, who recently signed Charlie Sheringham from Bishop’s Stortford.
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*BS*Bromley*BF* have signed goalkeeper Craig Holloway from Braintree. The Lilywhites are the third Blue Square Bet South club Holloway has played for in the past 12 months after starting last season at Chelmsford.
The Hayes Lane club have also signed Tooting striker Paul Vines. The goalpoacher netted several times against Dover in the Whites’ successive Ryman League title-winning seasons. He made 200 appearances and scored 123 goals for the South London club.
*BS*Lewes*BF* are in new ownership, an attempt to secure the long-term future of the club and give control to the supporters. Owners Martin Elliott and Kevin Powell have cleared the outstanding debts and handed all shares in the club over to Lewes Community Football Club.
*BS*Bishop’s Stortford*BF* are hoping to hang on to talented youngster Scott Shulton. The midfielder has been on trial with Southampton and could be offered a contract this week.
*BS*Boreham Wood*BF* have promoted former Ashford Town (Kent) goalkeeper Simon Overland to first-choice after losing experienced stopper Tony Tucker. Overland signed for Wood in March 2009 but went elsewhere in search of regular football and has played at all levels of non-league football, including Gravesend, Dagenham and Dulwich.