The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Buzzing boss Seb Hayes feels his Holbeach United squad is taking shape nicely after announcing agreements to sign four new players.
Hayes has persuaded strikers Will Bird (Deeping Rangers) and Lewis Leckie (Blackstones) to switch to Carter’s Park, while he’s also raided Sleaford Town for winger George Asplin.
The Tigers chief also has a verbal agreement to sign Sleaford defender Joe Braithwaite, who was a success in his first spell at Carter’s Park under former boss Glen Maddison.
Leckie missed much of last season through injury, but scored 32 goals in 34 games for Oakham United in 2015/16.
Fellow frontman Bird, who made a handful of appearances for Stamford as a youngster, impressed for Ketton in the PDFL Premier Division last season with 18 goals in as many games.
Winger Asplin, who is 21, scored nine goals in 44 appearances for Sleaford last season and is dubbed a “raw talent” by Hayes.
Having lost key duo Jamie Stevens and Josh Ford to Wisbech Town, Hayes feels the four new faces will energise the squad and all he and number two Daz Edey to better implement their style of play.
Although Tommy Treacher has signed for PDFL Division One side Tydd St Mary, every other player from last year’s squad has also agreed to report back for pre-season.
“I’m very pleased to have got the signings done,” enthused Hayes. “Obviously players are always free to change their minds, but we felt it was time to reveal our hand.
“Lewis is a natural goalscorer – he just lives to score goals. He’s not bothered if he’s not in the game, but once the ball comes into the box he comes alive.
“If we can get him playing like the Lewis Leckie of a few years ago, he’ll be a major asset for us.
“He knows Daz (Edey) very well and he was key in getting him to come here.
“He’s a good replacement for Josh Ford and, as somebody with a point to prove after injury, I’m confident he’ll be a major hit for us.
“As for Will, I’m not sure he was ever played in his preferred position at Deeping. He showed his quality as a striker with Ketton – and we’ll certainly look to play him in his strongest position.
“He’s another young player with a point to prove. At 22, he’s got great ability and will help us get up the pitch. I’m very excited about getting him on-board.
“George is a player that I’ve tracked for some time. He burst onto the scene a few years ago and really impressed me.
“He’s very raw and is only 21, so there’s time for him to improve and develop with us.
“He’ll give us some much-needed legs and will be another good option for us going forward.
“Those three have all signed, while we have a verbal agreement with Joe. Everybody knows how good a UCL defender he is – and he’s also versatile. I’m confident he’ll be with us and that he’ll prove a great signing.
“With these four lads coming in, we’ll have a very hungry group. The aim remains to win a trophy next season and for us to work towards being competitive in the title race in three years.”
Holbeach return to pre-season on June 20, with their first ChromaSport UCL Premier Division game being at home to Sleaford on July 29 (10.30am).
Before then, they have announced five pre-season fixtures.
They are as follows: Tues, July 11 (7.45pm) – Peterborough Sports (away); Sat, July 15 (3pm) – Skegness Town (away); Tues, July 18 (7.45pm) – Wisbech St Mary (away); Sat, July 22 (3pm) – St Andrews (home); Tues, July 25 (7.45pm) – Stamford.
