Wisbech FC boss Whaley closes in on four signings

Wisbech Town FC boss Brett Whaley was yesterday closing in on four new signings at the Elgoods Stadium.

All four are midfielders/strikers, with two of Whaley’s targets being former Fenmen players, although one of them won’t be King’s Lynn Reserves striker Jack Frohawk.

On Thursday night, around 50 Fenmen supporters met the new boss and members of the board at an extremely positive fans’ forum.

Goalkeeper Aaron Butcher and defender Luke Hipwell – two recent signings – were also introduced to fans.

Whaley told supporters that there is no reason why the club can’t be challenging at the top of the United Counties League next season.

“I’m looking at operating with a squad of 16 and there’s no reason why we can’t be challenging at the top of the table straightaway.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could challenge for promotion and eventually become a Step Four club.

“I’ve come from a club who struggled with attendances but we’ve got the base in place here and if we can start well then there’s no reason why attendances won’t increase.

“You can’t win this league without a budget, but when I spoke to the remaining players at the club when I came in money never came into it.

“The club is still a big pull and the players who stayed here want to be part of it.”

Whaley (above, right) confirmed that he would be working closely with reserve team manager Danny Hughes.

“It’s a big jump from Peterborough League Division One to the United Counties League Premier but the sooner we can bridge that gap then the better,” admitted Whaley.

“You don’t make promises to anyone in football, but if the reserve players show that they are willing they will get the opportunity at this football club.

“On the flip side they will need to be ready but that’s something which I will speak to Danny about.”

Wisbech chairman Malcolm Clements told fans that the club would apply for promotion if they were in a position to push for it.

Clements said: “It still stands that if we are in a position to go up by the end of November then we will go for it, nothing has changed.”

Clements revealed that plenty was being done behind the scenes on the social side.

“There’s lots of things in the pipeline, especially on the social side,” said Clements.

“We want to get this place as open as much as possible as it isn’t utilised enough.

“The more money we have coming in, the better we can make this club.”