Parson Drove FC confirmed various new signings last week as their pre-season preparations heated up
Parson Drove FC kicked their pre-season preparations into gear with a series of new signings last week.
As well as getting a number of fresh faces on board, the club also managed to secure the services of existing players and staff members.
A management team of Gary Haime, Robbie Harris and Daniel Holyoak were confirmed on June 9.
Shortly afterwards, a spree of squad announcements were put into motion across the following days.
Karl Anderson, who has won five trophies throughout his time at Main Road, was the first to commit his future to the club.
He told the club’s Facebook page: “Playing step six football this year will be exciting as well as interesting, I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
He was shortly joined by skipper Callum Brown, who has captained Grove to five competition victories, in sealing a deal to stay at the club.
Brown said: “I’m really looking forward to the season ahead at step six. It’s been a good journey being a player from the beginning of the project and getting to the goal we set five years ago with numerous triumphs on the way.
“Now there are new goals to achieve and new memories to be made and I want to be part of it - 100%.”
Grove then annnounced the return of Jack Mockford, who played a big role for the club in 2019 and remains “one of the best talents in the area”.
Mockford has recently spent some time away from football, and said he believes he has made the right choice to get his career back on track.
The club have also moved to boost their quality between the sticks by signing a goalkeeper they say has “a head way beyond his years”.
This goalkeeper is Aaron Watson, who says he is looking forward to playing for an ambitious club who have “ambition that fits in line with my ambitions and goals as a goalkeeper”.
Haime and his management team hadn’t stopped there. Next, it was time to announce that Teddy Haime had signed from Yaxley FC for another stint at Main Road.
Exciting news followed as the club confirmed that 2017/18 Manager and Players’ Player of the Year Gaje Drew had resigned for Grove.
He told the club’s Facebook: “I’m looking forward to getting back after being out for so long with a bad injury, and hopefully getting back to my best.”
Another player returning to the Parson Grove fold is Ryan Lennon (pictured), who has rejoined the club after a brief spell away.
The club were exuberant in their praise of Lennon, who they say possesses both great talent an an “impeccable work ethic”.
Lennon said: “I can’t wait for the season to be back under way, and playing with a good group of lads that I’ve played with for some time now. Step six will be a very good challenge for us I’m sure everyone involved can’t wait.”
The highly experienced James Tricks also shook hands on a deal with the club. Tricks, who has played with the likes of Kettering Town, Eynesbury Rovers and Cambridgeshire City, hopes his experience of playing in higher leagues will help his team-mates to kick on to achieve greater heights.
Finally, Grove announced they had convinced the multi-positional Ben Calvert to sign on. Calvert said it was a “no-brainer” so come back to a club where he has nothing but happy memories.