Billericay Town will have a brand new striker in their line-up when they continue their Ryman League Premier Division programme at manager Gary Calder's former club Enfield tomorrow.

Ed Chibogu has been signed after being released a couple of months ago by Southend United.

He comes straight into the reckoning as Town try to end a run of just one win in the past six League games, in a match which will be played at Boreham Wood as the host side still do not have a home of their own.

Chibogu, who joined the Roots Hall set-up from the highly-successful soccer academy at Ipswich Town, never made a first team appearance at Roots Hall.

But tomorrow the 19-year-old London-born player, who can also fill a right-wing role, is plunged straight into a Billericay travelling party which also includes Gary Henty, who missed last Saturday's 2-1 home derby defeat by Heybridge Swifts due to a bout of flu.

The nature of that setback - Town conceded two late goals after looking in little danger throughout - angered Calder.

He ordered his troops in for Sunday training to remind them that, although he is heavily engaged in rebuilding for next term, it is vital that they battle for every point still available this season.

"I think the message has got through," said Calder.

"We've had three good training sessions this week, which included a long chat about things, and players know that they've got to show me over the next eight games that they want to be part of my plans for next season.

"We currently stand eighth and it's going to be tough for us now to finish above our best ever Premier position of seventh.

"But we must keep fighting for every point available -- the players owe it to themselves and the fans."

Published Friday, March 22, 2002