Cox seeking a 'nice blend' for Poppies

Kettering Town manager Paul Cox hopes to build a squad with a mix of youth and experience
Kettering Town manager Paul Cox. Picture by Peter ShortKettering Town manager Paul Cox. Picture by Peter Short
Kettering Town manager Paul Cox. Picture by Peter Short

Paul Cox says he is looking for a “nice blend” of youth and experience as he begins to build his Kettering Town squad for next season.

The Poppies have now completed three new signings with former Leicester City goalkeeper Rhys Davies and central defender Chris Smith, who was most recently at King’s Lynn Town, signing up for the National League North campaign, which gets under way on August 14.

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Those additions come after Jordon Crawford made the move to Kettering from Corby Town.

All three summer signings are in their early 20s and Cox admitted he is now looking to add some experienced heads to the squad, although he conceded the Poppies are “in a queue” to get their transfer targets.

“I’d like a nice balance,” the Poppies boss said.

“We need to bring some experience in, although we do have that with Chris Smith coming in.

“We are talking to players who are not just experienced at our level but in the Football League, they are players who would bring that extra bit of maturity. I’d like a nice blend this season.

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“The one thing I thought before Kyle Perry came in last season was that we possibly lacked a bit of leadership and a bit of knowledge to guide the younger players.

“In terms of key positions, I do want to add some experience but we are in a queue for these players. It will be a case of getting the right players at the right price who really suit our club.”

The Poppies have not yet officially announced which players from last season’s squad will be staying on, although Adam Collin, Ben Milnes and Ryan Fryatt all confirmed their own departures from Latimer Park while club legend Brett Solkhon was released this week along with Michael McGrath, Sam Jones, Ben Stephens and Jamie Chisholm.