The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Some familiar faces are among the new signings Spalding United have named as part of their squad for the forthcoming season.
Striker Ben Davison as well as midfielders Jordan Lemon and George Zuener will return to the Tulips, joining the already announced Leon Mettam for the new Evo-Stik Premier East campaign.
Lemon was part of the Spalding side that reached the 2017 play-off final.
A product of the Chesterfield academy, he’s most recently had spells at Leek Town and Northwich.
Former Boston Town and Skegness forward Davison will also compliment a new-look forward line.
Tulips boss Chris Rawlinson says he’s hopeful that one more signing is to be announced when the player in question returns from holiday.
He said of the new recruits: “I set out to retain the majority of what we had last season and we’ve done that.
“I think defensively the way we set up was not bad and we didn’t concede that many.
“We wanted to retain what we had and add a few goal scorers alongside Jonny Lockie.
“We’ve got a really good blend of experienced players and young, those who have been successful and those who have something to prove.
“We’ve six under 20s in the squad which will give us energy.
“We’ve also got a good blend up front. We’ve a frontman (Davison) whose good in the air, someone who has scored over 200 goals in the league and at higher levels (Mettam) and we’ve also got players with pace and trickery to compliment Jonny.”
Not among the list of those returning to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Fields for the new campaign are Matt Varley, Paul Walker and Cenk Akar.
Rawlinson continued: “Matt has told me he’s retiring, while Paul has moved to Cleethorpes which I completely understand.
“He’s from that was but travelled here for the last four years and now they’re at our level it makes perfect sense.
“I’m glad to say Cenk has offers at step three clubs.
“We want our players to make the step up.”
After training began last week, the Tulips’ first pre-season game is due to be this Saturday at Ruston Sports, though the details were still being clarified as The Voice went to press due to England’s World Cup Quarter Final with Sweden.
Rawlinson is looking forward to the campaign. “The lads were in good spirits and we’re launching ourselves into pre-season now,” he said. “Everyone at the club has a chance of making the squad for that first game of the season and that includes all the development squad who will be training alongside the first team and featuring in some of the friendlies.
“Whoever is in the best form will start in the first team when the season starts.”
