Buzzing boss Dave Frecklington has added combative midfielder Matthew Varley to his Spalding United squad – and is hoping two more high-profile targets will follow.
Varley joins the Tulips from NCEL Premier Division side Staveley MWFC and lists Matlock Town, Sheffield FC and Rainworth Miners Welfare among his former clubs.
A long throw expert, Varley is described as a “winner” and a “fantastic character” by new Tulips chief Frecklington.
He’s expected to form an all-new central midfield partnership with Nathan Whitehead, with Frecklington feeling that his side has now got a strong spine.
“I’m delighted to have agreed terms with Matthew,” said the Tulips boss. “He’s an experienced defensive midfielder, a winner and a fantastic character.
“He is also a leader and knows this league inside out. He will partner Nathan Whitehead in middle of the park – and also has the longest throw in the league to boot. My team is nearly complete and to be honest I’m buzzing with what we’ve done so far.
“In this league you’ve got to be big and strong and battle for 90 minutes. One thing is for sure – we won’t be getting bullied or outworked by anyone.
“Matt adds to that and he’ll make sure the rest follow. Whitehead is the same in that regard and midfield is an area where you can’t be found wanting.
“The skipper (Nathan Stainfield) and Neal Spafford have a good relationship in the heart of defence and with Bradley Barraclough and Tom Waumsley we’ve got proven goalscorers at this level, so the spine of the team looks strong and has the right mix.”
Frecklington also has verbal agreements in place with two other players that he has described as “top quality” but is waiting for them to sign forms before revealing their identity.
One of his targets is a left-sided defender who used to be on the books of Premier League side Swansea City, while the other is a prolific forward who has been playing his football in Croatia.
The Tulips chief is playing his cards close to his chest with those two, but insists that – should both sign – they’ll show just how ambitious Spalding are this season.
He added: “I can’t say too much just yet, as we’re waiting to get the deals over the line.
“But what I can say is that we have verbal agreements with these lads – and both would be really good fits for what we’re trying to achieve.
“Both are certainly capable of playing a lot higher, but we’re hoping to tie them down to Spalding and allow them to progress with us as a club.
“They are top quality players and I’ll be over the moon if we do get both deals over the line.
“If we can do that, the squad will almost be complete – and I’m very happy with it.”
Meanwhile, the Tulips were expected to tie young striker Jonny Lockie to a contract tonight (Wednesday).
The highly-rated frontman, who has scored goals galore at youth level and made a handful of substitute appearances for the first team last term, has attracted plenty of interest from rival clubs.
Frecklington feels that it is important Spalding “look after their own” ahead of his first season at the club and sees Lockie as a “prized asset”.
The Spalding supremo said: “We’ve offered him a contract and I’m sure he’ll sign. It’s important to me that we have a group of talented local youngsters involved in the first team squad.
“Jonny has attracted a lot of interest, but we see him as our prized young asset and want him to stay.”
There’s been a change to Spalding’s pre-season plans, with the Tulips now hosting Graham Drury’s Stamford on Saturday, August 6 (3pm) instead of the original date with Carlton Town.
