BRACKNELL Town have added experienced forward Josh Helmore to their squad, writes Dave Wright.

He has had considerable experience in local football, most recently with Thatcham Town, scoring 12 goals in 24 league appearances in their Hellenic League title-winning campaign.

But the London radio journalist left the Kingfishers during the season and did not feature in their FA Vase final run to Wembley.

Helmore is a useful addition to the Robins, as he can play either in a central forward’s role or out wide.

He has already played for Bracknell in pre-season games, along with another former Thatcham striker Liam Ferdinand, whose transfer to the Robins has now been confirmed.

And player-manager Carl Davies revealed he won’t be the last, saying: “We plan to make one or two more signings.”

Mitchell Parker, who played in the first two pre-season games, has surprised Bracknell by signing for Reading City, playing for them last Saturday in a friendly against Eversley & California.

The Hellenic League side, who have changed their name from Highmoor Ibis, are managed by former Bracknell reserve managers Andy Findlay and Rob Creech.

Bracknell kick off their Isthmian League South Central Division fixtures with a home match against Waltham Abbey on Saturday, August 11.

The Essex side, who finished 19th of 24 in the North Division last season, are managed by 50-year-old Mark Stimson, the former professional whose playing career took in a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Southend and Leyton Orient.

A week later Town travel to Molesey, who finished bottom but one in the Isthmian South Division last term.

The Robins are home on August Bank Holiday Monday, 27, when the visitors are Cheshunt-based FC Romania, another side who are newcomers to the league, having been promoted after finishing third in the Essex Senior League.

Bracknell will not be involved in the FA Cup this season with chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse explaining: “Our former secretary did not receive an email requesting entry. When we realised this, we did apply, only to be told by the FA that the entries had been oversubscribed.”

Town’s attempts to try to get the FA to change their minds proved unsuccessful.

Steinbourn-Busse continued: “Whilst we are very disappointed with the FA’s stance, we are happy to have received confirmation of entry to the FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup.”

Bracknell, without a friendly last weekend, are home to Southern League Premier Central side Banbury United this Saturday (3pm) and former Hellenic League rivals Windsor next Tuesday (7.45pm).

  • BINFIELD have confirmed that striker Jemel Johnson has rejoined them from Thatcham, along with former Wokingham & Emmbrook youngster George Dance.

Experienced midfielder Danny Horscroft and central defender Idris Kamara, two of Woodley United’s best players last season, are also training with the Moles.

Binfield, who were beaten 2-0 at Highworth in a friendly last weekend, are away to Camberley this Saturday.