Colin McBride has finally clinched the signing of ex-Purfleet favourite midfielder Martin Carthy.

Martin, who amassed 268 games in his first spell at the club, is a hard-working midfielder with an eye for goal and is outstanding in the air. He arrives on a free transfer from local rivals Grays - where he started the season as Captain. He started his career at Erith and Belvedere before moving on to Fisher Athletic then on to Purfleet. In the summer of 2001 Carthy joined up with Gary Calder at Billericay before being sold to Grays.

Terry Bowes is also rejoining the club from the now defunct Hornchurch. Crowd favourite Bowes, who scored the equaliser against Luton in the FA Cup will attend pre-season training with the view of earning a contract. Terry left Thurrock last summer and played for Dulwich Hamlet before signing for Hornchurch midway through the season.