Partington and Davies lead batch of signings

FORMER loanee Ben Partington has linked up again with Aldershot Town eight years after he was last at the club while at AFC Bournemouth, and the Shots have signed a host of other targets.

Now 32, defender Partington has signed a two-year deal with the club.

Partington, who can play a number of positions both defensively and also in midfield, made eight appearances at The Rec in the 2013/14 season.

In that spell he suffered a major knee injury against Dartford which meant a reconstruction operation and 10 months out of the game.

Upon his release by Bournemouth and after his recovery, he signed for Eastleigh, then Bristol Rovers, before a return to Eastleigh, while last season he played for Bromley where he came on as a substitute in the FA Trophy final win against Wrexham. The experienced player also comes with international experience with Wales under his belt at a number of levels, representing his country at U17, U19, ‘B’ and U21 level.

Another defender, Archie Davies, has signed on a one-year deal after leaving Crawley Town where he played nearly 70 games in League Two. The 23-year-old graduated through Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion academy.

Meanwhile, Inih Effiong will be looking to build on previous goalscoring success as well as several years of experience at this level, having had successful spells within the National League with St Albans City, Dover Athletic and on two occasions with Woking where he scored 13 times last season.

And Ollie Harfield is another new recruit, the 24-year-old having made more than 100 appearances in spells at clubs including Dagenham & Redbridge, Boreham Wood and, most recently, Weymouth FC.

The full-back will now look to link up with fellow AFC Bournemouth graduates Corey Jordan and Tyler Cordner in the Shots defence as manager Mark Molesley looks to offer a fresh attacking team for next season.