Herbert happy as he builds for tilt at title
AFTER finishing third in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division this past season, Runcorn Town have been busy preparing for the new campaign.
Manager Chris Herbert had hoped to build on his squad ahead of the 2017-18 season and so far his plans are meeting with great success.
Town confirmed this week that several current players have signed contract extensions including club captain Simon Thelwell, Joe Holt, Kevin Exell, Marcus James and Josh Maguire.
The news of those contract extensions followed the revelation of four new signings made by Herbert.
Chris Rimmer was Herbert’s first signing of the summer before Cheadle Town captain Matty German also joined, followed by goalkeeper Andy Metcalfe and exciting attacker Sebastian Julien.
The manager hopes the new additions will bring something extra to the squad as they look to embark on a title challenge next season.
Herbert said: “The aim is to win the title. We came close last year. It’s frustrating because we knew we had the team to do it.
“We finished the season knowing we were just about there. We just lacked a few players so it was important that we brought players that will take us to the next level.
“These lads we’ve brought in are leaders on the pitch. They are big and strong. Sebastian was the best player in the League for me last season.
“He stood out by a million miles. He needs his chance too because nobody had really heard of him.
“Matty was a player we wanted at the start of last season, but we missed out on him when he signed for Cheadle.
“We have been keeping an eye on him though and he was arguably the best player in the league below for Cheadle.
“Andy is another player we wanted to bring in last season. He is now ready to step up and we are delighted to have signed him.
“He and Louie Mackin will be fighting it out for the number one shirt together so we will get the best out of both our keepers.
“Chris is also a top-drawer centre-half. He is a huge threat in the air both for and ● against on set-pieces.
“He has played for me before and was my captain at Cefn Druids when I was manager there so he’s a great signing for us.”
After securing the signatures of nine players this week, Herbert is confident he will be able to keep the club’s star players. However, there is a danger League rivals and last season’s runnersup Bootle, will be able to pry away Town’s leading goalscorer Craig Cairns.
Herbert admitted the Merseyside club have made a big-money offer for the striker but Town are confident their ambition will be enough to convince Cairns to stay.
Continued the boss: “We wanted to get everything done early and quickly so that we could really use the time this summer to grow as a squad. It was important for the current players to see us do that too and I’ve already spoken to most of the lads.
“Joe Holt wanted to see us go one step better and I told him not to worry as we’ve got players coming in and that was before we had announced them.
“I know Bootle are speaking to Craig Cairns and they are offering lots of money but for us it’s about making sure we keep up with the likes of them in our League.
“It’s an attractive offer and they are offering money we can’t compete with but Craig knows what we’re looking to do here so it’s his decision now really.
“As a squad, we think we’re ready to go up another level. Bootle will think the same about themselves though and then we have City of Liverpool coming into the League and they will want to move up quickly.
“It’s going to be the best the League has been I think. I’m really looking forward to it. The management staff and I had offers to go elsewhere but we turned them down because we have started something great here and we’re excited to continue it.”
Herbert also revealed Town are close to signing two more additions and they could be announced by the end of this week. He also hopes to confirm contract extensions for up to seven current squad members within the next three to four weeks.
Added Herbert: “We are delighted that we have managed to keep almost every player from last season to stay at the club.
“The players love it here and want to continue the job that we started last season. The summer is always a tricky but so far we have got five players to sign already, with more to come next weekend.
“We have got six or seven players who are looking to extend their stay here still to confirm and we want to get that all sorted early. I’m also looking to sign a winger in the next few days. It will be a big signing if I can pull it off but hopefully we can get something done. We’ve also got a forward who has already agreed a new deal so we’re going to meet up very soon and hopefully he will sign.
“It’s very exciting and we’ve got lots done already so the squad is almost there now. We’re looking forward to next season already.”