Player-Coach Anthony Leone has added another new recruit to the ranks ahead of 2019/20 with the signing of former London Raiders captain Tom Davis who moves to Gillingham with over a decade of experience at this level of the game.
After honing his skills as a junior in the Chelmsford youth setup, forward Tom Davis has gone on to play for the Chieftains, the Peterborough Islanders, Peterborough Phantoms, Milton Keynes Thunder, Romford / London Raiders and the Oxford City Stars in a senior career that has already spanned 13 seasons. The 29 year old attacker has featured predominantly in the NIHL South Division 1 (formerly the ENIHL) but also made appearances in the EPL and the NIHL South’s second tier.
It’s at the Romford / London Raiders that Tom Davis chiefly made his name. The forward first appeared for the side in 2009/10 and was a loyal servant of the club for a remarkable nine campaigns. Displaying a team first attitude that once saw him don the goalie pads to fill in for an injury stricken netminder against the Dynamos in 2016, Davis was highly respected in the Raiders’ ranks and donned the ‘C’ of captain between 2014 and 2018. During his nine season stint he featured 362 times, scored 88 goals and chipped in with 156 assists to tally 244 points.
Last season Davis opted to test himself in new surroundings and he completed a move to the Oxford City Stars for the duration of 2018/19. With his assistance, the Stars ended the campaign just three points shy of the league winners in the NIHL South Division 2 – he himself contributing 20 goals and 19 assists and so 39 points in 26 outings. Now though the determined forward is returning to the NIHL South’s top tier as he pens a deal with the Dynamos, now led by a face very familiar to him.
Speaking on his move to the Mos Tom Davis said, “I’ve always admired the club, especially the fantastic fan base, and, after speaking with Anthony Leone who I’ve previously played alongside, I knew that Invicta was the right choice for me this season. I already know a few of the guys in the changing room very well and so it was an easy choice for me to make.” Davis then spoke on what he wanted to add to the roster and his ambitions for the campaign saying, “Given that I’ve played at this level for a number of years I hope to bring a bit of experience to the side. I guarantee we’ll be fighting hard to put the Dynamos back up top where the club belongs and hopefully pushing for some silverware at the end of the year.”
Having completed his latest signing, Player-Coach Anthony Leone said, “Tom is a true competitor who brings invaluable experience to the team. He has good size, is physically strong and can handle the puck well. I think he is very often underrated and in fact brings a lot to any side he plays for. I’m pleased we’ve got him to commit to the club for 2019/20 and I think the fans will love having him at Invicta.”
New signing Tom Davis will wear the number 20 jersey when he takes to the ice for the Dynamos from September 2019.