Glenn Pennyfather will have two new secured signings in his line-up when the Clarets meet a Leyton Orient XI at Melbourne this Wednesday, kick-off 7:30pm, following the signatures of respected ex-AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper James Pullen and central defender Adam Tann, latterly of Histon.

Pullen kept goal for City in last week’s 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage and had attracted the attention of Chelmsford’s Head Coach for some time, as had Tann who made over 100 appearances for Cambridge United in a five-year spell. Both will bolster an already-developing rearguard in the Clarets’ squad and Glenn is delighted to welcome them.

He said: “James has got lots of experience and knows what it takes to win this league. He was in the Conference National with them last season but wasn’t able to commit to full-time football and that’s to our advantage as he’s a top class ‘keeper. I’ve been after Adam all summer as well and it was great to secure him from under the noses of several League clubs. I have spoken to a lot of people who rate him very highly.”

James is a Chelmsford born, 28-year-old goalkeeper who initially made his name as a highly-rated Heybridge Swifts custodian in 1999/2000 at just 16 years of age. Ipswich Town were alerted to his potential and took him to Portman Road where he made two First Team appearances, spending much of his time on loan from the Suffolk club.

His initial loan was to Blackpool in 2001/02 for several successful months which saw him make 16 appearances and play a part in winning the LDV Vans Trophy. Two seasons later he moved for short spells with Dagenham & Redbridge and Peterborough United, as well as a brief reunion with Heybridge then Hornchurch, before finding more regular football in Kent with Gravesend & Northfleet, now Ebbsfleet United.

Pullen signed for both Fisher Athletic and Eastleigh in the 2008/09 campaign amongst a lengthier period with AFC Wimbledon, where he signed following a successful loan spell in 2007/08. He eventually represented the Kingsmeadow club with distinction 42 times, occasionally against the Clarets, as he jumped up via promotion from the Ryman League Premier Division prior to helping them to the Conference South title in 2008/09.

Tann is a central defender, also in his late twenties, who was a schoolboy at Norwich City at the age of 13, where he was later recognised in several England Under 18s squads. He earned a handful of First Team outings with the Canaries but moved on to Cambridge United in March 2001. 121 appearances followed, broken-up only by a loan period at Cambridge City and single emergency appearance for Gravesend & Northfleet in 2005, as he made a positive and lasting impact at the Abbey Stadium.

His departure led to several trials with a number of reputable clubs but he joined Notts County in 2005/06 and participated in a handful of games prior to a 31-game spell helping to fight relegation successfully with Leyton Orient. This reminded County of his ability and he was then to become almost a regular in their 2007/08 and 2008/09 campaigns, racking-up a half-century of games at Meadow Lane. Last season he was a mainstay in the Blue Square Premier with Histon, making 39 appearances.

Both should play some a part against a team representing Orient and Pennyfather added: “I’m expecting this to be another sharp game like we had against Stevenage and I was pleased with the way we passed the ball about on Friday. This will give me the chance to run the rule over a few more new lads plus offer match sharpness to the players we already have secured. I’m very excited about the squad we are developing here.”

Adults can gain entry to the Orient game for £5, while concessions get in for £2 and Under 14s for free. Season Ticket Holders who secured their ticket prior to the end of June will be able to gain entry for free and can collect their season tickets at the turnstiles on their way into the ground or from the Club Office beforehand.