Southern Yate complete deals for Ollis and Spokes
Gloucestershire County League
TWO exciting new signings on the eve of Yate Town’s return to the BetVictor Southern Premier South League have only added to the heightened excitement sweeping Lodge Road.
Yate boss Paul Britton announced yesterday an extended loan signing of experienced Bath City striker James Ollis, one of the most exciting prospects to have come through Bath’s under-18s academy programme – and confirmed the signing of 19-year-old ex-Mangotsfield United midfielder Luke Spokes.
The pair go straight into Britton’s squad tomorrow for the opening match at home to Blackfield & Langley, who pipped Yate to last season’s Division One South title, alongside three further new signings, ex-Weston-super-Mare striker Jake Lee and the former Paulton Rovers pair of Liam Monellell and goalkeeper Adam Forster.
“We have had a very busy summer and I feel we are ready to go,” said Britton.
“We wanted to give the majority of players who helped us win promotion last season the chance to show what they can do at a higher level, so we have retained 14 players including all the defensive unit.
“But we have also added players who we feel can add to our quality and bring something to the team.”
With Lewis Thomas always going to return to Forest Green Rovers – he made his full league debut last weekend – one of Britton’s priorities was to sign a new goalkeeper so he was delighted to bring in 18-year-old Forster.
“We identified a goalkeeper very early and signed Adam, who is a very ambitious young lad and keen to impress,” added Britton. “He has
done very well for us in pre-season and settled in well.
“Jake has a lot of experience and we got him in early as well, while Liam is back at Yate for a second spell and, while still young, has a lot of experience of Southern League football.
“As regards Luke, we have been after him for a while, but he had a few irons in the fire and even had some professional clubs looking at him.
“He is a very exciting, talented young player from Bristol and has done well for us in pre-season so we are delighted he has signed on for us.”
After the thrills of last season Britton is wise enough to know that elevation into the Southern Premier South League brings with it a huge step up in class and inevitably there will be setbacks and disappointments.
Clubs of the stature of Dorchester Town, Farnborough, Truro City, Salisbury, Taunton Town and Poole Town – Yate travel to the latter two clubs next Wednesday and Saturday respectively – await Yate on this new season of discovery.
“It is a very exciting challenge and the players are determined to show that they can perform at this higher level,” said Britton.
“The objective is to be still in this league at the end of the season. That’s the priority, but we don’t want to be struggling all the time.
“We are certainly going to give it our best shot, and I am sure that the team spirit we created last season and which stood us in good stead on so many occasions will once again be absolutely crucial.
“The team is everything at Yate Town and everything we do as management and players is all about that.”