New boys to help in push for success
MANAGER Chris Willcock is well on the way to putting together a squad to make an assault on the newly restructured BetVictor North West League, as he completes his first pre-season at the club.
Having reached the play-offs and the last 16 of the FA Trophy during his inaugural season at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, hopes are high for a serious promotion push this time round.
Retained from the last campaign are a number of last season’s squad.
Captain and influential defender Tom Kennedy is back for his second season having been voted the Supporters Player-ofthe-Year last time out as he made an impressive 48 appearances, whilst battling midfield player Jamie Rother is about to enter his sixth year at the club, having already made over 100 appearances.
Joining him in the middle of the park is competitive Eddie Moran, who is in his second spell with the club.
Goalscoring forward/ winger Nic Evangelinos made his intentions clear with a hat-trick in the pre-season game at Caernarfon Town. Nic won the accolade of Players’ Player-of-theSeason last year, and waded in with 27 goals.
Also welcomed back is a player who was on loan towards the end of last season, Iyrwah Gooden, a winger who impressed during his loan spell from League Two Mansfield.
Forward Rueben Jerome signalled his intentions by grabbing a brace over in Caernarfon, and he will be pushing for a number of goals in the up-coming season.
Arriving at the HWRS for the first time is prolific Yorkshire goal scorer Daniel Naidole. The former AFC Emley, Yorkshire Amateur, Bradford Park Avenue and Brighouse Town forward can play in a number of offensive roles. A technically gifted player with an eye for a pass, Naidole has had a very successful scoring record at all of his clubs.
Manager Chris Willcock said: “Daniel is a player I have had my eye on for a number of seasons. He is an exciting talent who we are looking forward to seeing in a Rammy shirt. He has a great work ethic and is a very intelligent player and I am sure the ●● Chris Willcock fans won’t be disappointed with his contribution.”
Another new player who Willcock knows well from his time at Glossop North End is 28 year old Karl Jones, who joins the club after leaving Ossett United in the off season. Karl has experience in this league and knows what it takes to be successful at this level after gaining automatic promotion with Hyde United the season before last.
Manager Willcock said on his latest signing: “I am looking forward to working with Jonesy again. His time at Glossop with myself was his first season in non-league after returning from America. He scored some very important goals and was having an excellent run in the team scoring frequently until injury halted his season. He then joined Hyde United and helped them gain promotion to step 3 whilst also reaching the first round proper of the FA cup against MK Dons. He then moved on to the newly formed Ossett United last season where once again he was amongst the goals. His versatility in the forward line will be very useful to us during the season. I’m sure our fans will enjoy his contribution.”
With a number of pre-season games to go, Willcock and his management team will be running the rule over a number of other potential signings ahead of the new season which begins on August 17th.