GARY BEGINS HIS GR-EIGHT ADVENTURE!
HAMPTON & Richmond Borough made the first steps towards building a squad ready to launch a promotion bid next season with the addition of eight new players this week.
Boss Gary McCann has been busy finalising the deals two weeks into the job at Beveree, after leaving Hendon to take the post vacated by Alan Dowson who joined Woking.
The new boss went back to his former club to sign the ever-reliable Casey Maclaren (pictured) to form the bedrock of the Beavers defensive dam heading into 2018-19.
Maclaren is joined by former Leyton Orient and Wingate & Finchley leftback Nathan Mavila, who arrives with convincing pedigree after progressing through the youth ranks at West Ham United’s academy.
A club statement provided an update regarding the ongoing talks between members of the squad who were unable to avoid defeat in the National League South play-off final against Braintree Town last month. “All of last season’s squad have been contacted and spoken to by Gary, and a large number of these have been invited to pre-season training, which begins on June 23,” Borough confirmed. “Four of last year's first-team have been retained for the upcoming season, with three academy players also staying on. There are further players currently in the balance, with players weighing up their options as is often the case. News on these players will be announced in the coming weeks, as well as more new signings into Beveree.”
In addition to Maclaren, McCann has made the move for three other players he had under his watch this season at Silver Jubilee Park, luring Nigeria U20 and U23 midfielder Daniel Uchechi, promising 19-year-old full-back Jake Eggleton, and holding midfielder Michael Corcoran to his new club.
The other new arrivals signed this week are Wealdstone favourite Ricky Wellard, left-back Olly Sprague fresh from winning the Bostik Premier title with Billericay Town and his former Ricay team-mate Josh McLeod-Urquhuart.
Meanhwile, defender Charlie Wassmer has departed the club to follow former boss Alan Dowson to National League South rivals Woking.