Defensive Ryans can't wait to get started with Poppies

Ryan Fryatt is a man who has crossed swords with Kettering Town before but now he is hoping to help push them up the National League North table.

The central defender was released by King’s Lynn Town after a frustrating campaign from a personal point of view as a knee injury kept him sidelined for a large portion of it.

Fryatt had been part of the Linnets team that gained promotion through the play-offs after Kettering had won the Southern League Premier Central title last year.

King’s Lynn, of course, went on to have a stunning season in National League North as they won the title to earn a second successive promotion.

The Linnets showed that anything is possible and that’s something Fryatt is keeping in his mind as he begins a new chapter at Latimer Park.

“It’s a change for me but I am looking forward to getting started,” the centre-half said.

“John (assistant-manager Ramshaw) got in touch with me and asked if I wanted to come over for a chat and I liked what I heard.

“It was a frustrating season for me because of injury but King’s Lynn have done well over there and to get promoted is a great achievement.

“It’s always been a good battle against Kettering. Their teams have always shown good heart and good determination and I think, through Paul and John, they will be rising up the league.

“Anything is possible in football and I am sure we will go well.”

Another central defender joining the Poppies at the weekend was 23-year-old Ryan Holland.

Having started out at Grantham Town, Holland headed to the United States to attend Penn State University for the last four years.

Now back in England, he has been offered an opportunity by Paul Cox and it’s one he is determined to seize.

“This is a great opportunity,” he said.

“It’s a great club, the manager has been great with me and he is one of the reasons I signed.

“He thinks I am at a great age to really start learning. He was a centre-back in his time and I am sure he can teach me a lot.

“Overall, it’s been an uncertain time but it’s going to be great to be back playing and I just can’t wait for the season to start."