| Date: 18-06-22 Half way through the close season so what do we know so far? |
We’re more, or less, halfway through the close season and boy is it hot out there. Too hot to be playing football but just right for the beach and that’s probably where most of our playing squad are right now. So now seems about the right time for a bit of an update.
We’ve bought in a few new players to replace some of those that have left us but we’re still waiting for the odd one or two that have yet to be replaced. Just a reminder of who left us at the end of the season then: Keith Lowe, Luke Simpson, Mark Carrington, Nyal Bell and Lewis Montrose were the contracted players that left while Joe Foulkes (Walsall), Corey Panter (Luton Town) and Devonte Redmond (Wrexham AFC) had been on loan to us but then returned to their parent clubs. Of those three only Joe is still with his club while the other two were released.
Now out of that little lot only Keith Lowe has found a new club so far with him joining Rushall Olympic next season. The others are still looking but we also have those still with us that are out of contract but in talks. Geraldo Bajrami is the main man there and he is supposed to be interesting Notts County but I’ve heard he has his sights set higher. County are also believed to be after Sammy Austin but with him being on a long contract they’re going to have to dig deep and I’ve also been told that Sammy wants to stay at Aggborough anyway.
That leaves Nathan Cameron and Omari Sterling-James to take care of and, so far, we’ve heard nothing at all about them. Cliff Moyo is also out of contract but he’s staying with the club until his long term injury has been dealt with and we’re looking at around the late Autumn there. Tom Palmer, Jaiden White and Jamie Emery have signed their contracts.
In through the in door we have a new defender, Tom Leak, from Walsall and he was highly rated there but still let go so that looks like something of a coup for us. In midfield we have quite a selection with Zak Brown who’s one for the future from Alvechurch, Nathan Lowe coming in from South Shields and the best of all, from under the noses of Hereford FC fans, Tom Owen-Evans. The guy we all loved to hate but now we’ll love to love and let the Bulls fans do the hating.
Up front and out wide we have Yusifu Ceesay who’s come in from Alfreton Town and what we saw of him there he looked pacey and useful. Also out wide, and at long last, Jack Tolley has now signed his first professional contract so hopefully we’ll see more of him next season.
If we presume that Tom Palmer is to replace Luke Simpson as the first choice keeper, with Emery his wingman, then that still leaves a few places to be filled. An out and out striker has to be top of the list while a couple more defenders wouldn’t go amiss especially one as cover for Caleb Richards.
Away from the team the club have announced the season ticket details and they’ll include two extra games due to the increase in teams that make up the league next season and that’s reflected with the price rise. We were also told that if you contacted the club they would reserve the allocated seats that we had pre-Covid. Nice idea if it worked but it didn’t and mine was sold to someone else within days of the announcement.
No, I’m not happy about the situation at all because we then had to buy seats elsewhere, but at least not too far away from the seats we’ve had for five seasons.
Some friendly games have been announced but not many and all minor games. Basically it’s Worcester Raiders, Hednesford Town and Halesowen Town. All away. The rumour is two of the bigger games will be at home to a Wolves eleven and, as last season, a Manchester Utd eleven. Last season that game was by far the best so should be worth going to again.
Is there any more news? Well we’re still waiting for news of the new shirts (hopefully not T shirts again) and also the player sponsorship which the grapevine hints that it’s going to be stupidly expensive so this website may not be doing it this season in protest. Times are supposed to be hard and money is tight but some have yet to realise that.
And that’s about it for now. You can expect another update around the time of my birthday on July 12th. Peroni will do nicely thanks.
Photo © KHFC