Published: Thursday, 26th June, 2008 11:00
Robins to be in safe hands
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Robins boss Byron Walton is hoping to sign a quick replacement for Paul McCarthy.
BRACKNELL Town manager Byron Walton is hoping to snap up a young goalkeeper recently released from a professional club to lessen the blow of Paul McCarthy’s departure.
The loss of McCarthy, one of Bracknell’s few shining lights last season, came as a real blow to the Larges Lane club as they had expected the stopper to still be at the club for the coming campaign.
But his decision to move to Uxbridge has forced Walton into looking for a new number one and he is hopeful that a deal could be wrapped up soon.
He said: “I was very disappointed in the way that Paul McCarthy left. He indicated that he was coming back but then decided to go to Uxbridge.
“Hopefully I’m going to get a new keeper in by the weekend though. I’ve been talking to a good young lad who has just been released by a professional club.
“He’s 19 but made the bench for them and he’s more than a capable replacement for Macca. If we can sign him it will be a major plus for us.”
The last few weeks have seen a couple of other disappointments for Walton who is resigned to losing Jamie McClurg and Adam Cornell to Staines Town and Camberley Town respectively.
But the likes of Neil Baker, Ben Edwards, Bradley Edmunds, Gilbert Nuako and Adam Crittenden are all set to return, as are Paul Kelly, Jamie Clarke and John Swift.
Walton is looking to build a squad of about 18 players for the 2008/09 campaign and then utilise the recently re-formed reserve team which will be run by Andy Keen.
The Robins boss said: “There will be a lot of comings and goings within the squad. I’ve been speaking to quite a few players but I haven’t really tied anyone down yet.
“It looks like we could have 25-30 coming to training on July 1 and I will whittle it down to about 17 players by the start of the season.
“I don’t think we will need too big a squad this year with us having a reserve team.
“It will put a lot of onus on Andy (Keen) to produce players and I’m sure he’s more than capable of that.”
He added: “Things are looking good for next season. If everyone comes who says they will then I believe we will have a better squad than we did last year.
“The latter part of last season really picked up for us and it’s important we keep that going. We know how important it is to get off to a good start so we needed everyone in good shape for August 16.”
Bracknell’s first pre-season game is at Molesey on July 15 and they also have matches with Binfield, Chalfont Wasps, Maidenhead United and Egham Town lined up.
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