Eyong joins Smith and Spencer on contract

Hornchurch chairman Colin McBride has hailed young midfielder Tambeson Eyong after signing him to a contract.

The club announced earlier yesterday that Eyong had joined Michael Spencer and Lewis Smith in putting pen to paper with Urchins and McBride hopes the trio can continue to progress at Bridge Avenue.

He said: “Tam has been a little find. Merv Abraham sent him down to us late last season and he has improved so much in three months.

“He’s an east London lad, very polite, strong as an ox and very raw.

“A lot of supporters were doubtful, because he’s not the finished article, but his greatest commodity is he doesn’t think he knows it all.

“He’s listening and learning and we hope we’re giving him the right advice to make him an even better player.”

Spencer broke into the first-team squad last season and, McBride revealed, wants to become a full-time footballer.

“Michael gives 100 per cent and is very strong,” he said.

“From a coaches point of view, he can be a bit frustrating at times because you’re never sure what he’s going to do.

“He has had a knock recently and been a bit below-par, but he is ambitious and wants to be at our club.”

Smith came to the club during pre-season and has blossomed in recent weeks as Hornchurch have embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run in Ryman League and cup action.

“Lewis was on the books at Fulham and one of the fittest there,” added McBride.

“He went on loan to Bishop’s Stortford and did well and Bournemouth wanted him, but they had a transfer embargo at the time.

“He got injured back at Stortford, then went to Thurrock and came to us in pre-season, but still wasn’t right.

“We had an enquiry about him a few weeks ago from Stevenage and he went and played for their reserves against Oxford and did well.

“He’s got something and is really happy and contented here.”

Eyong is suspended for Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Bideford, but McBride is delighted the 20-year-old has committed himself to the club.

“We’re mindful of people thinking they’re ripe to pick and thought it would be prudent to get three young players with good futures signed up,” he said.

“We want to do things correctly, even though we’ve still got a lot of problems off the field, and they can see what we’re trying to do and are happy to commit to the club. It’s good news for us and them.”