Billericay Town striker James Baker has been released from the Club.

Manager Brian Statham said "After some consideration I have released James Baker from the club.  I spoke with James at length last Friday and explained that I had arranged for him to go out on loan to get first team football as he would find it difficult to start games with the two recent signings and Billy Bricknell recovering from his injury. James felt that that option wouldn't be in his best interests at this stage as he has a slight knee injury which he wants to see a specialist about before committing to anything. 

I would like to place on record my thanks to James for his time at Billericay Town football club and wish him all the very best for the future."

Andy Walker has returned to Maidstone United on a month's loan.

Brian Statham said: "Andy remains part of my plans, but he wasn't happy not playing whilst Paul Nicholls is currently starting. He understandably wants to be playing first team football. I'd like to wish him all the best."

Brian Statham explains why he has released Ashley and Danny:

"I have today released Danny Slatter & Ashley Dumas.  Ashley came to see me a week or so ago, asking if he could leave as he wanted to be playing regular first team football. I explained that I wanted him to stay as he was an important part of the squad, but he felt it was in his best interests to leave. I fully understand his reasoning and reluctantly agreed to allow him to do so.

I have also released Danny Slatter, in the main to release funds that will allow me to bolster the squad. Generally I don’t like to keep changing players, but needs must, and we must start scoring goals and this is an area that I will continue to focus on.

We are now 23 games into the season and the table does not lie and neither do the statistics. We are a very strong team defensively, however we have lacked goals, not just from the forwards but from all over the pitch. As expected, it is a very tight league and going on a good run puts you into a good position, that is what we need and will be aiming for. Myself, staff and players are really looking forward to the rest of the season and will be doing everything in our power to improve our league position, starting Saturday at Kingstonian.

I would place on record my thanks to both Ashley and Danny and wish them luck."

Harrison Chatting and Ryan O'Rawe have today joined Heybridge Swifts on loan for a month.

Speaking on the deal, Brian Statham said: "Both players need a run of games and this is a really good chance for them both to test themselves on a regular basis. The Ryman One league will be a great challenge and we firmly believe this will benefit them and the football club in the long term. Harrison and Ryan are eager to play and I am delighted with their attitudes. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to having them back in due course."

We are pleased to announce that we have finally signed not one, but two strikers.

Brian Statham said; "Russell was mentioned to me some months back and when he went on loan to Heybridge, we had him watched. He settled in very quickly, and started scoring goals with regularity, so I expect him to bring that habit with him!"

Simon Thomas, 25

Simon initially joins us on a temporary basis, having recently been released by Crystal Palace. He joined Palace for £40,000 from Boreham Wood in July 2008, but was unable to break into the first team, making just one substitute appearance in a Championship game at Wolves that September. He has since had loan spells at Grays Athletic, Rotherham, Ebbsfleet and Darlington.

Brian Statham said; "I heard the news of Simon's release before it became official, and immediately made him aware of my interest. He and I have had many conversations about him joining Billericay and we finally concluded things yesterday."

Centre forward Luca Frankis has today joined Waltham Forest on loan (initially for one month).

Speaking on the move, Brian Statham said:

"Having spent most of this season with me and appearing from the bench on a couple of occasions,  Luca is now at the stage where he needs a taste regular football at Ryman level, this is an important part of any young player's progress and I’m sure Luca will come back an improved player for the experience.

Billericay has an excellent history of producing good young players, in the main due to the fantastic work done by John Mifsud and Paul Moody, who continue to work very hard at recognising and procuring young talent from the surrounding areas. Long may it continue!"

We are very pleased to announce that Matt Hall has signed for Billericay Town until the end of the season.

Midfielder Matt originally joined us on a month's loan from Orient in October, and had impressed until he suffered a nasty ankle injury in our home game against Carshalton Athletic. He played 45 minutes for Orient Reserves this week, and will go straight into the squad to face Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow.