Pinchbeck United have pulled off an impressive double transfer coup after landing winger Lee Beeson and keeper Alex Smith.
Beeson, a former ChromaSport UCL Premier Division winner with Spalding United, is Pinchbeck’s most high-profile signing of the summer so far.
The ex-Stamford, Holbeach United and Corby Town right-footer left the Tulips in the second half of last season but is ready to return to the non-league scene with the Knights.
Smith, meanwhile, joins on a dual registration deal from Spalding and will battle player/coach Ricky Lovelace for the number one jersey vacated by Dan Swan, who will link up with St Neots Town.
Knights player/boss Ian Dunn is delighted with both signings and feels that, coupled with their early summer swoop for striker Jordan Nuttell, Pinchbeck are showing a statement of their intent.
He said: “Signing Beeson is a very good deal for us. He’s local to us and knows all of the lads.
“It was always going to be a hard one to pull off, given then he’s played much higher and has great ability, but Allan Ross and I have sold the club to him.
“I think this is a statement that we intend to compete next season – we’re not just in the UCL Premier Division to take part.
“Along with Jordan Nuttell, we’ve signed players who are very strong at UCL Premier Division level and have the obvious ability to play higher.
“Lee is only 28 and has lots of experience, which I think will be vital for us next season.
“Also, if we can convince Andrew Tidswell to stay on for another year we’ll have two of the best set-piece specialists in the league. That’s a big thing for us.
“I think we needed to add an attacking threat and Lee will help us be a lot more formidable going forward. He can also play in a few different positions, which we like here.
“As for Alex, he comes very highly recommended by (Spalding United boss) Chris Rawlinson. I know he was pushing Michael Duggan really hard for that number one shirt, which speaks for itself.
“Alex is young, hungry and will battle Ricky Lovelace his place. It’s vital that you have two good keepers pushing each other and that’s what we’ve got now.”
With their squad now taking shape, Dunn feels that Pinchbeck aren’t far off finishing their summer business. He’s in talks with a winger with UCL experience and is also hoping to convince midfielder Andrew Tidswell to re-sign for another season.
Defender Ash Murrell, meanwhile, requires ankle surgery ahead of pre-season – but he’s only expected to miss a few weeks.
