Transfer dealing now virtually done – Herbert
● RUNCORN TOWN boss Chris Herbert has admitted the club are “virtually done” with their summer transfer business.
The club lost top goalscorer Craig Cairns – who netted 44 times for Town in all competitions last season – but have brought in striker Steve Lewis, Chester youth captain Ryan Dobson and resigned Carl Rodgers from Flint Town United.
“We’ve got a few loans coming in during the next few weeks that will improve us,” Herbert revealed.
“We’re nearly there [with transfers] now. Unless something special comes available we’re not out there looking. We’re virtually done.”
When asked if any other players would follow Cairns and midfielder Joe Holt out of the club, the manager continued: “If anyone else wants to leave it’s up to them. We’ve always said players come and go and we always have a back-up plan.
“If someone wants to leave we’ll replace them – that’s not a problem.”
Town also got their pre-season campaign underway with a 4-3 defeat at Airbus UK Broughton last Saturday afternoon.
Luke Edwards, Kevin Exell and Mark Reed got on the scoresheet in the narrow defeat, and Herbert has urged his players to begin “pushing on” as the new campaign nears. “It was a red hot day,” he said. “It was the same for both sides in terms of making lots of changes so it was a chance to see everyone nice and early. I think we’re not far off now. I’m happy with everything. We had four missing on Saturday but we’re getting there.
“We looked good and we’ve got a few young lads coming through. It’s just about pushing on for the start of the season.”
Town’s second pre-season game is a week on Saturday – July 14 – when they play host to Trafford at Pavilions. The match kicks-off at 2pm with admission £6 for adults, £3 concessions and free for U16s.