Leigh Goes to Churchley

TIVERTON Town manager Leigh Robinson has tweaked his squad ahead of Saturday’s home match with Winchester City, adding Bristol City attacker Kai Churchley while letting striker Leighton Thomas leave Ladysmead.

Kai, 18, has been on Leigh’s radar for some time and could have been wearing the Yellow and Black earlier in the season.

Leigh said: “We’re excited to welcome Kai to the club. He would’ve been with us a month earlier, but unfortunately got injured in a game for Bristol City Under-21s, so we’ve had to be patient.”

Kai was born, and grew up, in Cheltenham, and played for Cheltenham Town at youth level before joining City at Under-16 level from Bishop’s Cleeve. A right-footed central attacking midfielder, he signed a two year professional contract at Ashton Gate in March last year, and has been part of the successful Under-21s team the Professional Development League Two.

“He’ll give us another option out wide,” said Leigh, “as a number 10 or as a striker. He has played with Joe Parker before for Gloucester whilst on loan, so hopefully there will be a nice link-up there.

“Big thanks to Matt Hewlett at Bristol City for helping us out with this.”

Meanwhile, Leighton, who joined Tivvy in the summer but has failed to command a regular starting place lately, is set to join Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

We thank him for his contribution to the Yellow cause and wish him nothing but the best in his future career.

The addition of Kai to the squad comes at a handy time, just as the Yellows have some momentum after winning their last Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South match 2-1 at Frome.

They will be eager to build on that when Winchester come to Devon on Saturday. Tickets are available in advance for that match