Rawlinson confident of adding a greater goal threat to his Spalding United squad

Spalding United boss Chris Rawlinson is feeling quietly confident about how his squad is shaping up for next season.

The Tulips chief isn’t quite ready to show his hand just yet, but has admitted that he has reached an agreement with a renowned striker that is sure to get fans excited.

Having also got a verbal commitment from ex-King’s Lynn Town frontman Tom Siddons, Rawlinson feels that the two potential signings will bring the goals his side were sadly lacking last term.

“I’ve been very busy!” admitted the Spalding supremo. “It’s always hard work at this stage of the close season.

“I’ll reveal all when the time is right, but I’m pleased to have agreements in place with two strikers that I feel will help add a bit more excitement to the side.

“It’s fair to say that we played some quite boring stuff last year – I have to accept that we may not have been the easiest on the eye.

“I feel encouraged by the squad I’m putting together and hopefully we’ll be much easier on the eye next season.”

Rawlinson is also reluctant to confirm which of last season’s squad will remain, but is hopeful of retaining “the vast majority” after encouraging talks with them.

Attacking right back Paul Walker, who is reluctant to carry on travelling from Grimsby each week, is rated as unlikely to report back to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field for pre-season – but the boss is leaving the door open for him too.

Rawlinson does feel that his side can look to improve on their mid-table finish last term, given that five of last year’s top seven are no longer in the new-look Evo-Stik League East.

He added: “Again, I’m not 100 per cent ready to announce the make-up of the squad. But the discussions I’ve had with the lads have been very positive.

“Paul Walker is always part of my plans, but I fully expect him to find a club closer to his home. He travels a long way each week and I think he’s had enough of it. We’ll see.

“I said at the end of last season that we’d look to improve and kick on. So far, I’m confident with how things are shaping up and I do feel that – if everything goes to plan – we’ll be in a position to have a good go again.”

Spalding begin their pre-season fixtures at Grimsby Borough on July 14 (3pm).