MALVERN Town have added five new players to their squad ahead of the upcoming West Midlands Regional League campaign.
Perrywood midfielder Kirk Layton will make the move to Malvern along with experienced striker Brian Craven, who was playing for Westfields last season, and former Kidderminster Harriers academy ace Jake Hollylee.
Goalkeeper Neil Hacking has joined the club to provide competition with Charles Weaver for the number one jersey, while boss Les Jones was also pleased to announce the signing of talented teenager Sam Rathbone.
“Sam is a fine young prospect who all the clubs have been looking at,” Jones said. “He was in our youth team and went on to play for Malvern Rangers last year where he scored a load of goals and I believe some league clubs have scouted him, but he has decided to sign for us, which is great news.
“Jake Hollylee is also a good young player as he has been playing for Kidderminster’s academy.
“We have also signed Brian Craven, who can hold the ball up well and will give us a different dimension, and Kirk Layton who is a marauding midfield player, so we have got two really good young prospects and two experienced players which is good for the balance of the squad.”
Town will be without Dave Reynolds – due to work commitments – and James Lush – who is attending a wedding – for the opening game of the season at Cradley Town on Saturday, August 9, while Reece King and Matthew Coles have both been ruled out through suspension.
However, Jones believes this is where his new signings will make the difference as their arrival means Malvern will start the campaign with a total of 20 players.
“Unfortunately we have got four players out for the first game of the season, so we have not got the full 20 to choose from but we are confident the 16 will make up a really good squad,” Jones added.
“We have got six games in August and that is another reason why you need a big squad which is something we did not have last season.
“Some games we would have a very inexperienced bench, but now each game we will hopefully have a strong bench, which will really make the difference.”