Hinckley AFC Manager Carl Abbott has confirmed one further retention, and updated supporters on a number of other topics.
Marcus Jackson becomes the latest player to commit to the club for the 2016-17 season. The experienced former Evesham man made 29 appearances for AFC last term, and joins fourteen other players from last season’s squad.
Abbott said: ‘Marcus has experience in abundance which is invaluable to us, and we can ill afford to lose that or a player of his stature.
‘This is another huge step forward in the preparation of our squad for next season, which really now just requires a little fairy dust sprinkled on top.’
The former Wolves Casuals boss wants no wholesale additions to his squad over the course of pre-season, instead opting for one or two additions where necessary.
He said: ‘I’m confident we will be able to nicely complement what we carry over from last season, and just bolster it a little where we need an extra body or two.
‘I’m looking forward to working with much smaller numbers during pre-season, getting this tight group of lads super fit, and our ideas and templates of play ingrained into them.’
The other player not to have yet stated his intention to rejoin AFC for 2016-17 is Isaac Cooper, with Redditch United keen on securing his services.
‘Isaac will do as he sees best, and if he doesn’t see his future with us any further then we will respect that and wish him all the best of luck
It is important that I am allowed to plan knowing my hand, and can only allow a situation like this to drag on so far.’
If he departs, Cooper will become the second AFC player to move to a considerably higher level this summer after Alex Penny joined Nuneaton Town last week. Abbott believes Penny could go a long way in the game.
‘I wish him all the very best, as I’m sure all at the club do. I’ve no doubt he will make the best of this opportunity, and will go on to become the first former Hinckley AFC player to progress into the football league.’
Abbo concluded by saying: ‘So onto Saturday and the start of another pre-season, a time for a great deal of hard work and commitment from all of my staff and players.
‘I assure you will do everything in our power to be in the best possible shape come 6th August.
I look forward to seeing you all and speaking with you throughout pre-season, and hope you are full of optimism for the new campaign!’
