Pat Rayment reckons Spalding United have pulled off a real transfer coup after sealing a deal for sought-after defender Paul Walker.
The 19-year-old, who was released by Grimsby Town at the end of the season and had around 20 clubs angling for his signature, has inked a one-year deal with Spalding.
Having lost Jamie Stevens to Holbeach United, Rayment identified the pacy central defender as his top target a few weeks ago.
He travelled to Grimsby at the weekend in a bid to convince the teenager to drop down a few levels with the Tulips – and despite Walker having offers from numerous higher-graded teams, he has plumped for a switch to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
“I’m very, very pleased to have got this one over the line,” said Rayment. “If I’m honest, I didn’t think we’d be able to get him here.
“The fact that we’ve sold this club to him is testament to how far we’ve come over the past few years.
“It’s obviously hard to sell the facilities we have here, but what we’ve sold is the management team and a club that is looking to make great strides over the next few years.
“Paul is quick, strong and has a good physique. He wants to get back into the game at the highest level he can – and we’re delighted to give him a platform to do that here.
“At only 19, he fits the bill here at Spalding. We’ve got a lot of young players and now have a very strong spine made up of talented youngsters.”
Rayment has also revealed that signing Walker brings an end to his summer business – bar any “great opportunities” that may arise between now and the start of the season.
The Spalding supremo revealed that he still has money available in his budget, but admits he’s tired of chasing the same “fishes in a small pond” every summer.
“I think I’m done,” added Rayment. “There is still money in the pot – which may scare a few people.
“We’ll see, I’ll not be actively looking for any more players. If a great opportunity arises, we could make a move.
“But it’s essentially the same fishes in the same small pond floating around at the moment.
“I’m not interested in signing any of them.
“We’ve cast the net a lot wider to bring in Paul and that shows the kind of mentality we now have.”
Walker, who has enjoyed brief loan spells with Corby Town and Harrogate Town, was released by Grimsby on May 19.
