Reds’ joy as they defeat former Euro kings
ACCRINGTON Stanley have been extremely busy over the past week after making five signings in the past few days.
Ben Barclay, Lamine Kaba Sherif, Joe Maguire and Zaine Francis-Angol have all arrived on free transfers, while Colby Bishop joins for an undisclosed fee from Leamington.
It sees Stanley seriously bolster their squad ahead of the new campaign, and manager John Coleman is delighted to have the players on board.
“I’m really pleased with them all. Ben is a promising defender from Brighton, he came through at Manchester City so he is technically a very good footballer,” he told the club’s official website.
“He had an opportunity last season in League Two with Notts County and it’s a chance for him to kick on in League One and get more league experience under his belt.
“Lamine is an exciting prospect, he turned down a couple of offers from foreign clubs as he believes
he can make his mark in England.
“It’s a good fit for both him and for Accrington Stanley. He is an all-action midfielder, we had a look at him on trial and decided quickly he is for us.
“Joe is someone I looked at when he was at Liverpool but I did not manage to sign him and he went to Fleetwood.
“His career has been stop-start since then and this is a chance for him to kick on. He is a talented footballer, he has a great left foot and I am hoping he fights Sean McConville and gets on some of the free-kicks.
“Zaine is somebody that we’ve tracked for a while now and it’s great that we’ve finally got him. He’s had two good seasons at AFC Fylde, and got to the Play-Off Final and the FA Trophy Final last year, so hopefully he can carry on that form with us.
“With Colby, it’s not everyday we buy a player, there were a few clubs in for him but he was adamant from day one that he wanted to come here which is refreshing.
“He started at Notts County and has gone down the non-league route and scored a lot of goals. I am impressed with what I have seen and I am sure he will be a great addition to the squad.
“He has scored a lot of goals and that’s something we could have done better with last season so hopefully he will hit the ground running this season.
“Colby is a primary school teacher and has to work a week’s notice, something I understand as I had to work my notice as a primary school teacher when Accrington turned professional.
“He is raring to go, he will be integrated quickly and we can’t wait to get him on the pitch and hopefully start doing what he does best – scoring goals.”