Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 12:00
Fresh faces arrive at the Lane
By Charles Watts
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Byron Walton has already been making moves in the transfer market.
BRACKNELL Town manager Byron Walton has signalled his intent to turn the Robins into a force this season after two big names signed up for the coming campaign.
Walton, whose side returned for pre-season training on Tuesday, announced the capture of former QPR goalkeeper Chris Goodchild along with former Chelsea midfielder Billy Sentence.
The duo both took part in their first training session with their new club on Tuesday night and were joined by fellow new recruit Rory Jenkins who has signed from Hemel Hempstead.
Their arrivals have excited Walton and the Robins boss admits there will be more to follow in the coming weeks.
He said: “The new lads we’ve brought in are all very good quality and that’s the sort of player we’re looking to bring to the club now.
“Chris was at QPR last season and even got on the bench for the first team once. He’s young but has great quality and has aspirations to get back into the professional game.
“He came down here with his dad last week and we had a chat. He had a few better offers from Conference clubs but they saw him as their reserve keeper and he wants to be playing week-in and week-out so he can put himself in the shop window.
“He’s a great signing for us and will be an excellent replacement for Paul McCarthy.”
On the arrival of Sentence, Walton added: “Billy was a YTS at Chelsea and then they gave him a professional contract. But after they let him go he lost a lot of interest in football and he’s just been milling about clubs.
“Now he’s decided to step it up again. He’s been training really hard in the last few months and he’s got himself back into the shape he was in while he was at Chelsea.
“He’s a left-footed central midfielder who is technically very good on the ball. He will be a great signing for the club. Rory Jenkins was with me at Hemel Hempstead and is another central midfielder.
“He loves getting forward and scores a fair few goals so he will be another good addition.”
As well as the new trio, Walton has also tied down the contracts of Neil Baker, Jamie Clarke, Ben Edwards, Ian Harvey and Michael Buck for another campaign at Larges Lane while Bradley Edmunds is expected to sign today (Thursday).
Walton admits there is a good feel about the club at present and he is looking to build on that as the season progresses.
New kits and tracksuits are being given to the first team, reserves and under-18s in a bid to make things feel more professional and six pre-season coaching sessions are being taken by Mike Critchell who has worked with many top level sides.
Walton said: “There’s a good buzz around the place at the moment and hopefully we can take that onto the pitch.
“We’re trying to make things a bit more professional so the players look forward to coming in each week.
“Tuesday’s training session was taken by Mike who’s just come back from coaching with Villareal in Spain and he’s off next week to work with Middlesbrough.
“It was a pleasure to watch his methods. Everything he did was with the ball and the players loved every minute of it. I know they’re looking forward to coming back and working with him again.”
* The draw was made for the FA Cup and FA Trophy this week and Bracknell were handed home ties in both preliminary rounds.
They will take on Bicester in the FA Cup on August 30 and Malvern Town in the Trophy on October 4
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