Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
ROBINS SWOOP FOR UNITED FORWARD DUKU
STRIKER Manny Duku has left Hayes & Yeading United to sign a two-year contract at League Two club Cheltenham Town.
The Netherlands-born forward broke United goalscoring records last season with 39 goals in all competitions, of which 32 came in the league.
Duku joined United from Southern Premier side Banbury United in the summer of 2017, having previously played for Chesham United and Kings Langley.
In his single season at the SkyEx Community Stadium he flourished and developed into the most prolific striker in the division.
Hayes & Yeading United chairman Tony O’Driscoll admits he will be sad to see the fans’ favourite leave for the Robins.
“I’ll be sad to see Manny go as we’ve built up a great rapport in the past season and while the club is always reluctant to lose players, especially goalscorers, Manny was watched by many scouts last season so we knew it was a possibility,” he said.
“When a serious offer came in, the club did not want to stand in the player’s way of playing professional football in the English Football League.”
Hayes & Yeading United manager Paul Hughes added: “Manny becomes the second player in two seasons from this club to make the step up into the Football League and we hope he flourishes at his new club as much as Tom Broadbent has at Bristol Rovers.
“It says so much about Hayes & Yeading United that players, who have had a few seasons with other clubs with limited success, move here and quickly develop as players and get the platform and ability to make the move into the pro game.”
Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson believes Duku is ready to make the step up, adding: “We’re delighted to bring Manny to the Robins. He’s a great lad who scored a lot of goals last season and who is determined to take this chance.
“He’s 25 years old so he’s not a young lad finding his way. He had a terrific season last year and we feel he’s ready to come into the Football League.
“Manny has only been over here for three years from Holland, but his English is excellent, he is very humble and very athletic.
“A goalscorer is a goalscorer as Mo Eisa proved last season.”
Meanwhile, Hayes & Yeading United claimed a second successive pre-season victory as they narrowly beat Southern League Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley 1-0.
A first-half Liam McDevitt header proved the difference on Saturday.
After a 4-2 victory over Harrow Borough midweek, United made a stellar start as captain Scott Donnelly fired goalwards straight from kick-off.
His effort flew just inches over the Wingate crossbar with the goalkeeper frantically back-peddling.
United dominated much of the game with new goalkeeping signing James Shaw untroubled in the home net.
Centre back McDevitt scored the only goal of the game with a powerful 31st minute header with both sides struggling to cope with the strong winds.
After the match, manager Hughes said: “It was a good victory, as obviously they are a league above, but as always there are lots of things to work on and that’s always the thing we focus on in pre-season, not the result.”
United conclude their pre-season schedule on Saturday with the visit of this year’s FA Vase winners Thatcham Town to the SkyEx Community Stadium (3pm).