DAVE’S OWLS IN BID TO FLY HIGH
DETERMINED Dave Smith has had a busier summer than he expected but is optimistic his new signings can help Cleethorpes Town get over the line in the coming campaign.
The Owls finished third in the NPL East last term, but then saw their promotion hopes go up in smoke in the play-offs as visitors Stockton Town triumphed 2-1 at The Linden Club in the semi-finals.
That was a bitter pill for Smith and his troops to swallow, but now they’re eager to go again. With 14 players retained, there will be continuity and Smith has added a handful of new faces to freshen up his squad.
“I didn’t expect to have to do as much business this summer, but a few things happened,” said the 45-year-old. “You have to have a network and plan, and it was a case of bringing that forward. The players that we have brought in were top of the list and the timing was right.
“I was delighted to get it done quite quickly because there are a lot of opportunities for players at all the steps – there are good clubs that are progressing.
“We don’t pay the most, but we offer a project and a good environment where players can develop and progress. We get players in for the right reasons – and we’ve brought in some hungry players.”
Hunger
Centre-back James Williamson has arrived from Grantham Town, attacking midfielder Will Annan from Bridlington Town and winger Rio Molyneaux from Stamford.
In addition, striker Declan Howe, 25, has been snapped up from Staveley Miners Welfare and winger Curtis Bateson, 27, has returned to the club after a spell with Barton Town.
Of the latter two, Smith said: “Dec was in Step 5 and now he’s ready to take the step up and prove how good he is.
“I’ve watched him a few times and I like his character. He’s got a bit of cheek, he plays with a bit of personality and he scores goals. He will fit like a hand in glove for us.
“I watched Curtis a few times last year and he won games on his own. It looks like he’s got his hunger back and I asked him if it was time for him to step back up. He’s a big signing for us with that hunger and determination. He’s better than our league when he’s on form.”
Boss Smith was recently handed a two-year contract and is eager to repay the club’s faith in him. He’s spent a decade with the Owls since arriving as reserve team manager, stepping up to the first team hotseat four years ago.
Expectation
“It’s my club, it’s local and my lad Jacob plays for the under-9s,” explained Smith. “But it’s not comfy, there’s pressure and expectation, though there is a nice culture and a family feel.
“Getting to the final of the play-offs was something I thought we should have achieved last summer. On the night we edged it, but didn’t take our chances – and Stockton did. Credit to them, they are a good team.
“We just came up a little short and I was gutted for the players, but it gives us that motivation now. We have had a taste and we want to go one better.
“We finished third and the top two went up. On that basis, we are the highest one left, but you have to respect the recruitment of other clubs. We want to be in that promotion mix.
“It’s a really competitive league and it’s a joy to be in a division like that. You want to test yourself.”
Having kicked off their pre-season programme against Whitley Bay yesterday, Cleethorpes are now looking forward to taking on their neighbours Grimsby Town, who have just won promotion back to the EFL.
Smith added: “We have built the relationship with them and the game has grown and grown. We are near enough a sell-out of over 2,000 and it helps us showcase our facilities, team and club.
“That’s our day to generate finances for the season and with Grimsby getting promoted, there’s a feelgood factor around the local area.”