Dave Challinor gives us the updates on his new additions…
Two final players added to the squad on deadline day gives us a twenty strong group to take us into the last eight league games! In come Karl Noon from Marine and a familiar face in the return of Dave Stevenson to the club.
I have been actively looking to bring another forward into the club and have had to be really patient since the turn of the year really. Noony fits the bill perfectly. He is someone we dual registered from Vauxhall Motors at the end of last season but that was solely as cover in case we needed him. This time he will join and be involved in the squad immediately. He is a perfect fit in the fact that we know him well, he knows us and how we work and what our expectations and standards are. He also knows the majority of the squad so will integrate really easily into the group. Going from the two training sessions he’s had with us, I know he’ll hit the ground running and give us another option up top and most importantly in a central area if required to take some strain off Blinks.
The second signing was a real 11th hour one and we just sneaked it in in time. I have been desperate to dual register or take a goalkeeper on loan as cover for Ben in case we have any issues as we only have under 18 goalkeepers registered and to have to throw them into games of the magnitude we have at this stage of the season wasn’t an option. Every door we knocked at seemed to be closed though. Stevo knows the club, is experienced and has recently moved back to the area so it was ideal for all parties.
I have to thank New Mills for cancelling his registration at short notice as he had been playing there since leaving Southport during January. He has been out injured with a finger problem but again great timing has just begun training again. He is someone reliable who will do a great job if calked upon. I’m sure everyone will welcome them to the club with open arms. Then join at a really exciting time and I know they will strengthen what is at this time a very healthy, confident squad that is playing some fantastic football.