Spalding United have added more experience to their squad for the forthcoming National League North season.
Goalscoring midfielder Shane Byrne has joined from Brackley Town, where he found the net six times during last season’s National League campaign, while defender Michael Kelly has moved to the Sir Halley Stewart Field after being released by Boston United, following a loan spell at Chester.
Byrne said: “I like to dictate play, I like to be on the ball, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve become more aggressive with my pressing and chasing things down.”
The 33-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having played almost 500 games with Brackley, Kidderminster Harriers, Boston United and Bury after serving time with Leicester City.
“I’ve played at this level for ten years,” added the Dublin-born former Irish junior international. “You have great young lads coming through, and my job is to help develop and nurture them, making them better players so they’re comfortable competing at this level.”
Manager Jimmy Dean said he had Byrne on his radar for some time and the new signing said he was looking forward to working under a manager who he said always has a competitive team.
Another familiar face to Dean is Kelly (28), who is reunited with his former Scunthorpe United manager.
The Scottish junior international, who was with Aberdeen and Leicester City as a youth, played in the Football League with Bristol Rovers before a lengthy spell at Steps 1 and 2 with Yeovil Town, Bath City, Eastleigh, Scunthorpe and Boston.
The Tulips stepped up their pre-season programme with their first friendly of the summer, at home to AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday, with Byrne given the captain’s armband.
A goal in each half from Mane Sani and Bart Cybulski saw them earn a 2-0 win.
Dean’s men are back in action on Saturday, when they welcome Boston Town, 3pm.
Holbeach United have got two pre-season games under their belts and have yet to concede a goal after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Blackstones was followed by a 1-0 win at Skegness Town on Tuesday evening.
Co-manager Joe Sims, who is working alongside Callum Lawe, with Callum Madigan as assistant manager said: “I was really pleased with the attitude, application and work rate of the group in our first pre-season fixture against a Step 5 side.
“It was a great opportunity to see where we are as a group. There were some really pleasing aspects to our performance, and it was fantastic to hear supporters talking afterwards about how pleased and excited they are by the early signs.
“There’s still plenty of work to do particularly in the final third but one step at a time and we’re heading in the right direction.”
The Tigers are at Heacham on Saturday, 1pm, before taking on Boston Town at Carter’s Park on Tuesday, 7.45pm
The first week’s Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League fixtures have been released and Holbeach will start at home to Long Melford on Saturday, July 25, with a trip to Framlingham Town the following week.
Holbeach have been drawn at home to newcomers Netherton United in the League Cup, on a date to be arranged.
They have a bye in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase and have been draw away to Midland League North Kilworth in the second round on September 12.
Pinchbeck United’s pre-season is under way at Glebe Field and after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Bourne Town, they took on Wisbech Town on Tuesday and a stronger display saw them beaten 4-1.
On Saturday, the Knights are at home to Cottesmore Amateurs, 2pm, with Whittlesey Athletic visiting next Wednesday, 7pm
Pinchbeck have been drawn at home to Stapleford Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday, August 15. The winners will be at home to either Sandiacre Town or Harrowby United.
In the United Counties League, the Knights start against Radford at their temporary Sleaford home on Saturday, July 25 with a trip to Dronfield Town the following Saturday, before an Eslaforde Park derby against landlords Sleaford Town on Tuesday, August 4.
