Boreham Wood FC can now confirm its retained list following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Enterprise National League season.
The club says goodbye to six players who depart Meadow Park this summer. They depart with the club’s upmost gratitude and thanks after all making huge contributions to the Club during their time at Meadow Park. They include Nathan Ashmore, Cameron Coxe, Jack Payne, Erico Sousa, Charles Clayden and Joe Newton.
Nathan initially joined the Club on loan from Ebbsfleet United in October 2019 and became an instant fan’s favourite amongst the Wood Army faithful. Nathan’s temporary stay at Meadow Park was made permanent in the summer of 2020 and he has since amassed over 250 appearances in a Wood shirt, which includes three National League play-off finishes, a National League South play-off triumph, a National League Cup triumph, a trip to Wembley and multiple FA Cup third round appearances.
Nathan will be remembered as one of, if not the, greatest goalkeeper to have ever put on a Wood shirt with an unmatched presence in Wood colours that made making match winning and match defining saves almost routine. Everyone associated with Boreham Wood FC thanks Nathan for his exceptional service to the Club and wish him well in the future.
Cameron initially joined the Club on loan from Colchester United in October 2022, which quickly turned into a permanent transfer in December 2022 for an undisclosed fee. Over his time at Meadow Park, Coxey has developed a special relationship with the fans with his infectious personality, becoming a firm fan’s favourite with his all-action, energetic performances down the right wing. Coxey will be best remembered for his glancing front post headed equaliser in the National League South play-off eliminator victory over Dorking Wanderers, as the Wood incredibly reversed a 3-1 deficit in the 82nd minute to win 4-3 in normal time. Everyone associated with Boreham Wood FC thanks Coxey for his brilliant service to the Club and wish him well in the future.
Jack joined the Club in the summer of 2022 on a permanent transfer from League Two Crawley Town. Jack made an instant impact on the pitch with an exceptional range of passing and sense of danger from a deep lying midfield position, cultivating midfield partnerships with the likes of George Broadbent, Zak Brunt and Josh Rees as the Wood made a run to the National League play-offs semi-final before agonisingly falling to Notts County 3-2 after extra-time.
Jack has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills since his arrival at Meadow Park, first deputising for skipper Mark Ricketts during the 2022/23 season before taking over the armband for the 2023/24 season. Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Jack stepped up into Luke Garrard’s management team as both Player and Assistant Manager, as the team recorded its highest ever points tally at National League level, as well as becoming the first-ever National League side to lift the National League Cup trophy. Jack departs the Club to take up an incredible opportunity in Australia as he, his wife Jodie and his children begin an exciting new chapter in their lives, as such everyone associated with Boreham Wood FC wishes him and his family well ‘down under’ and we thank him for his incredible service to the Club.
Erico arrived at Meadow Park in the summer of 2022 from Grimsby Town, having won promotion from the National League with the Mariners the season prior via the play-offs. Over his time at Meadow Park, Erico made significant contributions both on and off the pitch. Not only did Erico deliver maverick-type performances on the wing with technical ability and skill that often left the Wood Army and opposition in awe of his talents, but Erico’s caring personality shone through when engaging with the Club’s Community Trust and their local projects. Most notably, Erico showed unmatched kindness and humility when the Club’s first team squad was present for activities with its local disability group partners, such as the Trust’s annual MENCAP Christmas dinner, and for that, we cannot thank Erico enough for the impact he made on the Club and it’s community during his stay with Meadow Park and wish him well in the future.
Charles arrived at Meadow Park in November 2023 on a permanent transfer from Wealdstone for an undisclosed fee. Charles will be best remembered for his National League South play-off final winning goal against Maidstone United as the Wood won 1-0 in front of a bumper Meadow Park crowd to secure promotion back to the National League at the first time of asking. During Charles’ time at Meadow Park, the support from his family and friends at matches home and away, most notably his Mum and Dad, has been incredible, and for that reason we also thank the entire Clayden family for their unwavering support, too. Everyone associated with Boreham Wood FC thanks Charles for his brilliant service to the Club and wish him well in the future.
Last but not least, Joe Newton arrived at Meadow Park in the summer of 2025 from Solihull Moors. Joe made 37-appearances in a Wood shirt and made significant contributions on the pitch as the Wood clinched a fourth placed finish with a record points tally, reaching the National League play-off final, as well as being a National League Cup winner and reaching the FA Cup third round after first and second round victories over League Two opposition Crawley Town and Newport County respectively, both 3-0 wins. Everyone associated with Boreham Wood FC thanks Joe for his service to the Club and wish him well in the future.
The club’s retained list has been published in full below:
Chris BUSH
Charlie O’CONNELL
Zak BRUNT
Junior DIXON
Abdul ABDULMALIK
Aaron HENRY
James CLARKE
Callum REYNOLDS
Luke NORRIS
Tom WHITE
Lewis RICHARDSON
Marley MARSHALL-MIRANDA
Regan BOOTY
Ollie KENSDALE
Matt RUSH
Nathan ASHMORE
Cameron COXE
Jack PAYNE
Erico SOUSA
Joe NEWTON
Charles CLAYDEN
Femi ILESANMI
Leon AYINDE (Ipswich Town)
Ted CURD (Chelsea)
Josh LANDERS (West Ham United)
We thank Ipswich Town, Chelsea and West Ham United, in particular Danny Searle (Ipswich Town), James Russell (Chelsea), Ben Roberts (Chelsea), Mark Noble (West Ham United) and Kevin Keen (West Ham United), for their assistance and supprt across 2025/26 season.
Junior DIXON
Aaron HENRY
Luke NORRIS
