Just a solitary point from a possible eighteen in the league, coupled with the departure of popular forward Elliott Romain, meant that the honeymoon period which followed the arrival of our new American investors had well and truly worn off as the very realistic threat of relegation loomed. However, from the moment Luke Pennell completed a last-gasp miracle at Boreham Wood in the FA Cup at the weekend, there seems to have been a sudden rise in optimism. There had been pressure on the club to make a signing ever since the aforementioned Romain sale and we've delivered the first of hopefully many big-name signings. While it will take much more than this to even stave off the threat of the drop, let alone build for a promotion-challenging team next term, it's definitely a good starting point. Ángelo Balanta has been a thorn in the Daggers side for a couple of years now and brings a good dose of pace, power and flair to an attack severely lacking in those attributes. In a squad which is already the most youthful in the division, Ángelo also has a good amount of experience to bolster our ranks. At 28, he possesses a good knowledge of the league having been instrumental in Boreham Wood's run to the play-off final last campaign, forming a great understanding with the equally-crucial Morgan Ferrier and Bruno Andrade. His crucial opener in the semi-final at Sutton United last season was one of eleven he scored throughout the whole campaign, which is impressive considering he played almost the entire season in the hole behind the striker as an advanced midfielder. This campaign he's netted three goals, which includes an opening day winner against ourselves. Recently, however, he's been absent for a month or so through injury and in his return to action, also against us, on Saturday he didn't look his usual energetic self. Disappointingly, that might mean that we will have to wait a little longer to see him make his first appearance for us, given that he doesn't look fully recovered from injury. The fact that he played the majority of last season in the hole shows his versatility and, as well as operating in that role in behind the forward, he can play out on the left flank or even as a main striker himself. Overall it's a really good signing from the club, almost reminiscent of that glorious yet ultimately self-detrimental month where we brought in Morgan Ferrier and Michael Cheek. Although it sounds like we've spent a lot of money by our standards on this signing, it goes without saying that lessons have been learned from how that ended up last time. Yet this could be a landmark moment in our ascent back up the footballing pyramid. Hopefully this sets the tone for more impressive additions which enables us to steadily improve. Irrespective of this or any other transfer we bring in, though, the priority remains staying up, before starting afresh with a squad next season which will challenge. For the first time in months, I cannot wait for the next few weeks as a brighter future emerges. Terry Harris, Morgan Ferrier, Ben Nunn, Femi Ilesanmi are just a few examples of the personnel to pass between Victoria Road and Meadow Park over the last few years and this latest signing is just another example of the positive relationship which exists between the two clubs. Their Chairman, Danny Hunter, is somebody who always conducts himself fantastically well and he was open about the events which culminated in Balanta arriving in East London. “Dagenham’s Steve Thompson then asked us to give them a ball park figure that we would at least consider. So, I asked for what I felt was a substantial fee commensurate with Ángelo’s ability, with a waiver included that linked this transfer to the Morgan Ferrier deal at Walsall, in which Dagenham held a 20% stake. “I felt the chances of our demands being accepted by Dagenham were very minimal, as it would turn this into a substantial transfer fee and deal. I also felt that by setting the bar high, it would be the end of their interest, but Dagenham perhaps surprisingly accepted it and still wished to speak with the player. “I, along with Luke Garrard, initially hoped that Ángelo would turn down the chance to move to Dagenham – which in truth he initially did, by declining the chance to even talk with them – and that I thought was the end of the matter… “However, after receiving a phone call from our old player and Dagenham skipper Ben Nunn that evening, and after sleeping on it, Ángelo had a change of heart. Ang felt that he wanted to talk with Daggers’ gaffer Peter Taylor, and as I’m a man of my word, and as both clubs had already agreed terms, permission was given. “After two days of negotiation between Ang and Dagenham, I then received a phone call from Dagenham’s Steve Thompson to say that both the player and Dagenham had reached agreement. “In truth, the Dagenham hierarchy throughout this process, have conducted themselves impeccably and our player simply decided he wanted to go. We all know, that they’ve got themselves one hell of a player, and like Luke, my staff and our supporters, I’m very sad to see him go… “Ángelo when fit has in truth been quite brilliant for us, but his circumstances and his priorities have seemingly changed. Everyone could clearly see that in his performance on Saturday, as his mind was understandably elsewhere. “But that performance apart, from the first moment Ang walked through our door, he has been an absolute pleasure. The memories we’ve all shared together are too many to mention, and it must be remembered, that our academy boys are also losing a very popular PASE coach and I’m losing an important member of my day-to-day staff. “People may question why I have accepted the deal, but I feel every player does perhaps have a trigger price and at 28, Ángelo has his. I also felt at 28, that it was only correct for Angelo to be allowed to talk to Dagenham, as the offer we accepted was substantial and the offer he received was also a considerable one.” Most transfers involving us recently have had disappointing repercussions, so this one is a pleasant and much-deserved surprise. Hopefully we do manage to get, as Boreham Wood's chairman described him, 'one hell of a player'. Before then, though, let's go and give them more misery to contend with by earning a place in the FA Cup first round at their expense.
An Angelo from above has come to save Dagenham's season.
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January 2024
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