Town capture new quintet
HARROGATE Town manager Simon Weaver says his squad is taking shape ahead of the next Blue Square North season, with the club securing the signatures of five new players.
Goalkeeper Craig Dootson, midfielder Steve Bowey and strikers Graeme Armstrong, Aiden Savory and Liam Hardy will all start the next campaign at Wetherby Road.
Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser that last year’s three contracted players will also remain at Town, while another four first-teamers have committed themselves to the club.
“It’s taking shape,” Weaver said.
“We are a lot more organised than this time last year, when we didn’t have any players.
“We want to start off with a really strong squad and make a couple of changes that allow us to pose a different kind of threat.”
Liam Hardy, signed from Armthorpe Welfare, has been on Town’s wanted list for a year, after Weaver saw the 6’ 1” forward in a pre-season friendly against Doncaster.
“I was really impressed with him and waited in the pub after the game to get a word with his manager,” Weaver said.
“They wanted big money for him and we weren’t in a position to offer it, but that’s all by-the-by - we’ve got our man now.
Last summer, the Town boss even went so far as to arrange an exhibition match against Armthorpe in order to get another look at Hardy, with general manager Alan Williams recalling this week how the young striker “tore us apart”.
Hardy went on to win the Golden Boot in last season’s NCEL, hitting 36 league goals and a further 10 in cup competitions.
“He is a willing runner and will bring legs to the team, chasing everything in behind,” Weaver said.
Joining Hardy at Wetherby Road are fellow 22-year-old Aiden Savory, who was Bradford Park Avenue’s top marksman last season netting 21 times, and 27-year-old Graeme Armstrong, who scored 48 goals in 144 games for previous club Gateshead.
Weaver said Savory “will have to go sideways into rooms” due to his broad physique and has a great record in front of goal.
Goalkeeper Craig Dootson, 31, has arrived from Fleetwood Town, after reportedly turning down an offer of full-time football from his former employers, while experienced midfielder Steve Bowey rounds out the list of recruits, moving from Scottish First Division side Ayr United.
The former Gateshead, Queen of the South and York City, who turns 36 next month, is renowned for his tenacity and has an eye for goal, averaging one in five throughout his career.
“Steve adds a bit of steel in the middle of the park,” Weaver said.
“He is a very gritty player who I’ve always admired. He may be 35, but he’ll be at the front of all the runs in pre-season, I guarantee it.
“Craig will be a big presence, a big voice and a big character in the dressing room.”
Weaver says contracted players Lee Ellington, Adam Nowakowski and Martin Foster are all staying at the club, with Jon Maloney, Simon Harrison, Liam Shepherd and Matt Bloomer also on board and Luke Durham being given a chance to prove his fitness after a serious injury.
Fans’ favourite and last season’s top scorer, Dave Syers, has not yet made a decision on his future.
“With Dave it is a bit of a waiting game - he is weighing up his options and we hope to get an answer by the end of the week,” Weaver said.
“He did a great job for us last year and it is important for him to know we are ambitious.
“The players we have brought in are the lads I want.
“They are driven and passionate on the pitch, matching the passion on the sidelines, in the boardroom and in the stands.”
Town have confirmed a pre-season friendly against a Leeds United XI at Wetherby Road on Tuesday, August 11 at 7pm.
rick.burin@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Harrogate
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
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