FOREST RAID IS ON THE RADAR OF PAUL
NEW Yate Town manager Paul Michael admits he is targeting a raid of old club Cinderford Town.
Michael made the switch to Lodge Road this week – and wasted no time in recruiting an experienced player-coach, landing former Luton Town and Eastleigh striker Stuart Fleetwood.
Under Michael, Cinderford announced the retention of 14 of the squad which challenged for a play-off berth last term but Michael admits he is now tempted to cherry pick some to aid his step up to Premier Division South football.
“It happened quite quickly,” he said. “We had agreed with some of the boys to stay at Cinderford and I am certainly interested in a number of them.
“They have done well for me, I trust them and they know how I work. I would certainly back a number of them to play at the level above so it is something I have to consider.
“There is a core at Yate that I want to give the opportunity to as well, although there are not many left because there were a number of loan signings last season. Others have already moved on.
“I am not saying we are going to take everybody but there might be a couple who are interested in coming here.”
After winning promotion in 2019 – ironically by beating Cinderford in the play-off final – Yate sat one place and two points above the bottom three when last season was curtailed, but Michael is looking beyond his initial target of survival.
“We are looking to build a squad that can be more than competitive and we won’t limit our aims, we will try to kick on from the base that was here before,” he added. “I am really excited and looking forward to the challenge.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for players who want to push on and maybe get themselves higher.”