Joe Conneely has added a quartet of players to his squad to add strength in depth, particularly at centre-back after Oli Szymanski’s family re-located to Spain.
Szymanski has started all three games this season, after his breakthrough season in men’s football last season in which the youth team graduate won our Supporters’ Young Player of the Season – but he and his family have now moved abroad.
And with Ky Green (groin), Will Harris (knee) and Ethan Flaig (hamstring) all still recovering from their respective injuries, it meant Conneely has had to add two central defenders ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Newport Pagnell Town.
Young defender Sam Warburton joins from Quorn, having spent last season helping Grace Dieu to promotion to step six. He also chipped in with eight goals from centre-back for them, and has brief step five experience with Newark and Sherwood United.
Joining him is Joe Magunda, who arrives on dual registration from Rugby Borough. An experienced centre-back, he joined Borough in the summer after spending last season at Bedworth United. Having started his professional career at Leicester City, Magunda went on to play for a number of successful non-league clubs, and has twice been promoted to the National League North with Leamington and Brackley Town.
Another joining from Rugby Borough is midfielder Max Johnson, who was a substitute in their FA Cup tie last week. A former promotion winner from this league with Coventry Sphinx, he also counts Rugby Town and Wellingborough Town among his former clubs.
And the final addition is left-sided player Ahrian Chaddah, from Sporting Khalsa. He came through the youth system at Notts County and joined Khalsa in the summer after a brief spell last season at step five with Melton Town.
Conneely said: “With Oli moving abroad and the injuries we’ve got, it meant we had no fit and available centre-backs. So we had to get some in and we’re really pleased to have added more depth.
“In addition, Billy Snaith is struggling with his ankle so we needed some cover in midfield. The lads who we’ve got have come in have all come in at the perfect time.”
Good luck for the future, Oli, and welcome to Hinckley, Sam, Joe, Max and Ahrian!
