The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United’s caretaker manager Lewis Thorogood has landed new signings ahead of the festive fixtures.
After the departure of manager Matt Easton amid rumours of financial issues at the club The Tulips have seen three senior players leave for club’s below them in the league structure, George Zuerner and Jenk Acar to Skegness Town while Taron Hare has joined Barton Town.
But Thorogood has announced replaces ahead of tomorrow (Saturday’s) home game with Sutton Coldfield, a Boxing Day trip to Wisbech and the New Year’s Day hosting of Lincoln United.
Former Boston United defender Jan Yeomans has joined from Matlock Town, forward Devante Reittie has come in from Gresley while defender Gianluca Bucci has come in on work experience from League One side Lincoln City.
The caretaker has also expressed his love for the club and hopes to get the job full time.
He’s had a decent start with Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Kidsgrove backing up the 4-1 win at Worksop the previous week.
“Results wise it’s been a good ten days,” said Thorogood on Tuesday. “It’s not been easy especially after the departure of three senior players.
“With that and the loss of the manager the players could’ve panicked and fallen apart but they’re a really strong group of players and we’ve had some good results.
“They’ve shown real character to go and win at Worksop with a side weakened from injuries and people moving on and it was a good point at Kidsgrove against a workmanlike and physical side.
“I’d have taken four points from those beforehand.
“We don’t want to lose any players as far as I’m concerned.
“In the next 48 hours I’m hoping to be able to announce a minimum of one signing, possibly three and it could be as many as five.
“I’ve been speaking to a few higher level clubs about loans so we’re hoping to get bodies in ahead of three physical fixtures.”
Boxing Day sees Spalding visit bottom of the table Wisbech Town who this week sacked former Holbeach United manager Seb Hayes.
Ahead of that though, the Tulips welcome Sutton Coldfield to the Sir Halley on Saturday, looking to do the double over the West Midlands side whom they beat on the opening day of the season.
While Kevin Bastos is not back until New Year’s Day due to suspension and Jamie Jackson is unlikely to be fit, it is hoped Lewis Brownhill will be back from Armed Forces duty.
Thorogood said: “Sutton got a superb win at home last week and it will be a tough game. They’re a similar style to Kidsgrove in being physical and direct but we’d back ourselves at home.
“Wisbech on Boxing Day are going through their own difficulties with no permanent manager and being stuck rock bottom, but it’s a local derby and they will have a good number of supporters there creating a partisan atmosphere.
“Then we host Lincoln on New Year’s Day and it would be great to get a good crowd at the Sir Halley for that.”
On his own chances of landing the manager’s job permanently, the former development manager said: “I love the club and I’ve grown a real affection for it.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and it’s no secret that I want the job and want to carry on the great work Matt and myself have started.
“But I know it’s all about the results and I have to show I can get them.”
