Current Squad

Micky Bennett (Benno)
Born 27th July 1969 in Camberwell. Height 5ft 11ins. Weight 13st 6lbs. Signed from Brighton in August 1999 where he was player of the year. Strong, quick skilful player who is equally at home in midfield or defence. He has also played for Leyton Orient, Cambridge C, Cardiff C, Millwall, Charlton Athletic., Brentford and Wimbledon. Has represented England U19's touring Brazil.

Ben Chenery (Cheners)
Born 28th January 1977. Height 6' 1" Weight 12st 5lb. Started his career at Luton Town, on 3rd March 1995 where he made 2 appearances. Joined Cambridge United on 2nd July 1997. Ben made 96 league appearances for the U's, scoring 2 goals, before joining Kettering Town on 22nd July 2000. He joined Canvey in December 2000 and will go down in Canvey folklore for scoring the winning goal in the FA Trophy final in 2001.

Gavin Cowan
Promising young defender, tall and athletic he was captain at Braintree town and has been watched by QPR. Signed from Braintree Town, December 2002.

Craig Davidson (Crow)
Height 5'11". Weight 13st 5lb. The 1974 born defender originally signed for Canvey in July 1999/00. He is a solid left back who loves to go forward. Previous clubs include Aldershot, Southend United, Chelmsford City and Dagenham & Redbridge. Resigned for Canvey July 2002 after a season's spell at Braintree Town.

Craig is currently the 'Director of Coaching' at SEEVIC College.

Ross Johnson (Roscoe)
Born in Brighton in 1976, this 6' centre-half joined Canvey on 19th September 2002. Ross played over 150 games for The Seagulls and his journey to The Gulls went via Colchester and Dagenham & Redbridge. He joined Colchester on a free transfer after completing a successful load spell.

He is noted for his long throw.

Lewis Lilley
Born 22nd July 1984, 18 year old Lilley is a product of the Club's Youth Scheme. He started making appearances for the Reserves in 2001 and has featured three times in the First XI this term. A Hot Prospect who plays Left-back.

Steve Ward (The Ginger Sex God)
1972 born central defender who spent many year with Essex neighbours and rivals, Grays Athletic, progressing from the youth and reserve teams to make over 400 appearances for the first team. Steve transferred to Canvey Island in October 1996 for a �3000 fee. Steve is now approaching his 400 appearances for Canvey. He is currently a P.E. teacher in Gravesend. Steve has captained the England National Game XI this season against the Italian U21s.

Kevin Dobinson (Dobbo)

Kevin Dobinson - Defensive Midfielder released by Chelmsford. Began his career at Ipswich Town. Joined Chelmsford as a member of the Youth team in 1996 and gained a regular midfield place. Signed for Canvey August 2002.

Chris Duffy
A tall, athletic and skilful midfield player who possesses boundless energy. Became Canvey Island's record signing when joining from Conference side Northwich Victoria for �5,000 in July 1999. Played in the 1996 FA Umbro Trophy final for the Vic's and then for Canvey in the 2001 final. Chris has also seen service with Crewe and Wigan. Duffy has played for the England National Game XI in 2002-3

Scott Forbes
Born 22nd October 1976. The left-sided midfielder has previously played for Saffron Waldon before having a trial with Canvey Island during the pre-season of 2000. Southend United then offered him a contract taking him from Park Lane. Forbes spent two years at Roots Hall after which he was released and re-joined Canvey Island in July 2002 on a two year deal.

David Gregory (Gregors)
Height 5ft 11in, weight 11st 9lb. David was born in Colchester on 23rd January 1970. He is a midfielder and the older brother of Canvey striker Neil Gregory. Started his career at Ipswich before joining Hereford (loan) and Peterborough. Spent the last 6 season at Football League Club Colchester United. Aged 32 David joined Canvey Island on a two year deal in July 2002 scoring two goals on his debut, a friendly against Erith & Belvedere.

John Kennedy (JK)
Born 19th August 1978 in Newmarket. A former Ipswich midfielder, who has come up through the youth system at the Suffolk Premiership Club, playing 6 games for Ipswich first team and making 2 appearances as sub. He signed for Canvey on the 3rd August 2000. Was voted 'Man of the Match' in the 2001 FA Trophy Final. JK is now a regular name in the England National Game XI.

Michael Lee
Born 28th December 1981, Lee joined Canvey in the 1998/99 season. After a highly impressive first team debut at Hayes of which he was awarded Man of the Match, the young, speedy winger has now been promoted from the Reserves.
Height - 5ft 9ins, weight - 11st 7lbs.

Jeff Minton
Born in Hackney, 28th December 1973. His previous clubs include Spurs, Brighton, Rotherham United, Leyton Orient. Jeff is 5ft 6ins tall and weighs 11st 10lbs. He was last at Park Lane playing for Port Vale in Canvey's thrilling 4 - 4 draw with the second division club - he scored two of the goals. Signed in a player exchange from Grays Athletic, 23rd August 2002.

2002/03 Supporters Player of the Year Award Winner.

Lee Protheroe (Proths)
Lee has previously played for Yeading and Enfield before joining Aldershot. He is happy to play as a right sided defender or in midfield. Signed for Canvey from Aldershot in August 2002.

Ollie Berquez
Previously with Chelmsford City & Billericay Town. Signed for Dagenham & Redbridge during 2001-2 but supporters' money took him from Victoria Road to Braintree Town. Signed from Braintree Town, December 2002.

Lee Boylan (Boyley)
Born in Chelmsford on the 2nd September 1978, Lee previously played for: West Ham, Trelleborg, Kingstonian, Exeter, Hayes and Heybridge Swifts. Signed August 17th 2001 after a highly impressive trial period. Signed for a new two year contract August 2002.

2001/02 season's Supporters' Player of the Year and Ryman League Golden Boot Winner with a total of 43 goals.

Bertie Brayley
Born 5th September 1981. Bertie Brayley was a product of the West Ham Youth Scheme who can also play on the left wing. Has played along Hammers' Stars Joe Cole & Michael Carrick. Brayley starred for West Ham in their 1999 FA Youth Cup win over Coventry City, scoring three goals over the two legged final. Bertie's previously played for Q.P.R. Swindon and spent a day training with Southend United. Height 178cm, Weight 76kg. Signed for Canvey on a free transfer 16th August 2002.
Scored Canvey's quickest League Hat-trick in under 4 minutes against Enfield on 26th April 2003.

Neil Gregory (Gregors!!)
Born 7th October 1972. in Zambia. Height 5ft 11ins. Weight 13st 7lbs. Signed from Colchester United. Previous clubs include Ipswich Town, Peterborough (loan) & Torquay (loan). Transferred to Colchester for �50,000 on 26th Mar '98. In the summer of '99 he was on loan to the Boston Bulldogs. After a two month loan period Neil, signed for Canvey on Fri 4th February 2000, on free transfer for a 3 year contract period. Made 119 football league appearances and scored 29 goals. Neil scored the winning goals in Canvey's 2001 FA Cup ties against Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town (as seen in BBC Match of the Day).

Steve Parmenter (Parms or Umpa Lumpa)
Born 17th January 1977 in Chelmsford. Height 5ft 8ins. Weight 12st. Signed in November 98 from Kingstonian. Steve was a trainee with QPR (May 1995 - July 1996) before spending two years with Bristol Rovers. He made 18 Football League appearances and scored 2 gaols for Rovers and spent a period with Conference League Yeovil Town. He joined Kingstonian on a free transfer. Played for Wales U21's. Has also played for Southend United as a Youth Trainee.

Jeff King
A former Canvey Island player, Jeff became assistant manager in the 1991/92 season, stepping up to the manager's job a year later. Aged 41 his term as manager has seen the club's meteoric rise from Essex Senior League to Ryman League Premier Division, an impressive four levels. Jeff is a charismatic leader whose commitment to the club makes him very popular and respected.

Harry Johnson
Club physio - a hardworking member of the crew.

Glenn Pennyfather
Born 11th February 1963 in Billericay.

Essex boy Glenn Pennyfather made his Southend United debut in 1980 at the tender age of seventeen. He went on to play over 230 games for the Blues as a battling, hard-tackling midfielder, having started with them in the full-back position.

Club	Date Signed	Seasons	Apps	Subs	Goals
Southend United	Feb 1981	1980/81 - 1987/88	231	7	36
Crystal Palace	Nov 1987	1987/88 - 1988/89	31	3	1
Ipswich Town	Oct 1989	1989/90 - 1992/93	11	4	1
Bristol City	Feb 1993	1992/93 - 1993/94	21	5	1

Totals

294

Glenn joined Canvey in 1994, and became coach in 1996.

And where would we be without club Super Secretary

Frances Roche

Dean Greygoose

Released by Stevenage Borough the end of last season. Previous clubs include, Whitton Albion, Northwich Victoria Crewe Alexandra & Lincoln City. Signed for Canvey August 2002 after a pre-season trial.
Released 18th August 2002

Adam Miller (Millsie)
A promising 1982 born midfielder signed on the 20th October 2000, from Ipswich Town Youth Academy. Also had a trial with Southend United, and was offered a contract, but a change of management put paid to that.
Transferred to Grays in a player exchange 23rd August 2002.

Ollie Adedeji
31 year old defender was a popular figure at his last club Aldershot Town, picking up player of the month awards on several occasions - he was also the Shots captain during the 00-01 season. Born in Lewisham he played for Bromley from 1996 to the end of the 98/99 season when he moved to the Hampshire side. Previously he had terms with Finchley and Boreham Wood.

Transferred to Billericay 1st October 2002

Jason Dozzell
Born 9th December 1967 in Ipswich. Started his career with Ipswich Town at the age of 16. He cost Spurs �1,900,000 in 1993 before moving to Northampton and Colchester United. Height 6ft 2ins, weight 13st 7lbs.

Dozzell holds the record as the youngest player to score in topflight English football. (4th February 1984 against Coventry City aged 16). Signed for Canvey August 2002 after a pre-season trial.

Chris Perkins
Born on the 1st March 1980 in Stepney, Chris Perkins is a product of the Southend United 'School of Excellence'. He is a former Captain of the Southend United Youth Team and made his first team debut for the Shrimpers in September of 1997. From here he moved on to Kettering Town in the summer of the 2000/01 season after a loan period. Chris is a central defender who can also play in midfield if required. Signed for Canvey, October 2002 after being released by Kettering. Signed for Ford United on 10th December 2002.

Released December 2002

Paul Cobb (Cobby)
Signed in August 2001 from Dagenham & Redbridge. previous clubs include Leyton Orient, Enfield and Purfleet. Joined Dagenham in 1997, and scored almost 100 goals for the now conference club.

Transferred to Braintree Town, December 2002.

Jukka Ruhanen (Rudi)
Born on the 16th April 1971 in Keskikentta, Jukka, 31, is a Finnish International and joins Canvey Island from FC Haka. His previous clubs include MP & FC Jazz. Ruhanen is 177cm tall and weighs 80kg he is right sided Midfielder that loves to play up front. He has scored 4 goals for Haka this season and was in the team that played Fulham in the Intertoto Cup last August. Signed for Canvey Island 3rd January 2003.

Released March 2003

Mark Brennan

Born in Rossendale, 4th October 1965. Mark began his career at Ipswich before making moves to Middlesborough for a fee of �375,000, Man City, (�500,000) and Oldham (�200,000). More recently he's played for Dagenham & Redbridge making over 380 league appearances he joins Canvey Island from Essex rivals Billericay Town. He is also a former England U21 & U23 international. Mark is 5ft 10ins and weighs 10st 13lbs. Signed 11th November 2002.

Released Pre-Season - May 2003

Mark Graham
Born 24th October 1974 in Newry, Northern Ireland. Mark Graham is a wide midfield player that can play on either wing and is the elder brother of Billericay's Richard Graham. Mark has previously played for QPR, Cambridge United, Stevenage Borough, Barry Town and Aldershot Town where he was team mate of fellow Gull, Lee Protheroe. Height 5ft 7ins, weight 10st 0lbs. Mark signed for Canvey Island on 18th March 2003 on a free transfer from Billericay Town.

Released Pre-Season - May 2003.
Now with St. Albans City - June 2003

Spencer Knight (The Knight)
Born in 1978. Signed from Harrow Borough in November 2001. Previous clubs include St. Albans City, Arlsley & Luton Reserves.

Scored Canvey's record quickest Hat-trick in three minutes against Southend Manor.

Released Pre-Season - May 2003

Matt Jones
Matt Jones 31, was born 9th October 1970 in Chiswick. He was a trainee with Arsenal before making moves to: Southend United, Heybridge Swifts, St. Albans City & Chelmsford City. Jones is also a former England schoolboy international. Made over 100 appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge before signing for Canvey Island on the 29th May 2002 in a two year deal.

He is currently a teacher at King Edmund School in Rochford.

Released Pre-Season - June 2003

Still officially signed to Canvey, but no longer members of the squad

Mick Bodley (Bods)
Born 14th September 1967 in Hayes. Began his career as a schoolboy with Chelsea and progressed through to the first team before joining Northampton Town. Had a three year spell with Barnet, then followed Barry Fry to Southend United. Mick had loan spells with Gillingham and Birmingham City prior to joining Peterborough United, where he was club captain. Left the Posh in 1999, before joining St. Albans and then Dagenham & Redbridge at the start of the 1999/2000 season. signed for Canvey on May 17th 2000.

Club	Source	Date Signed	Transfer Fee	Seasons	Apps	Subs	Goals
Chelsea	Apprentice	Sep 1985		1987/88	6	0	1
Northampton Town	Transfer	Jan 1989	�50,000	1988/89	20	0	0
Barnet	Transfer	Sep 1989	�15,000	1991/92 - 1992/93	69	0	3
Southend United	Transfer	Jul 1993	Free	1993/94 - 1995/96	66	1	2
Gillingham	Loan	Nov 1994		1994/95	6	1	0
Birmingham City	Loan	Jan 1995		1994/95	3	0	0
Peterborough United	Transfer	Jul 1996	�75,000	1996/97 - 1998/99	86	0	1

Totals

256

Garry Britnell (Britts)
Vastly experienced 1964 born defender or midfield player who began with Canvey Island in the Essex Senior League before spells with Chelmsford City and Dartford. He then enjoyed a successful period with Enfield before re-joining Canvey in July 1994. Has been a 'stalwart' of the Gulls whose contribution has helped the club move up through the league.

Andy Jones (Jonah)
1970 born striker and the longest serving player at the club. Andy has been at Park Lane since July 1992, finishing as the club's top scorer in most of them. His 200+ Canvey goals have played a major part in the club's rise from the Essex Senior League to today's position. Before joining Canvey he played for Basildon United, Purfleet, Rainham Town and Billericay Town.