Holman returns and Collin signs as Poppies make moves

Kettering Town have confirmed their first summer signings as Paul Cox gears up for his first full season as the club’s manager.

The Poppies squad will have a new look to it as players retained from last season’s team were joined by the new additions for the club’s media day and open training session at Latimer Park this afternoon.

Kettering look to have pulled off a bit of a coup by snapping up goalkeeper Adam Collin who was with Carlisle United in League Two last season while he will compete for the No.1 jersey with young stopper Shaun Rowley who was previously with Solihull Moors.

There was a familiar face back at Latimer Park as well with striker Dan Holman, who helped the Poppies win the Southern League Premier Central title in the 2018/19 campaign, returning to the club after a spell at Brackley Town.

“I wasn’t playing much at Brackley and we actually spoke during the season about potentially coming back,” Holman, who scored 14 goals for the Poppies in his previous spell, said.

“So when it came up again, I was delighted to come back because I really enjoyed my time here last time and getting promoted.

“Everyone here was really friendly and to be back here now with a fresh manager and fresh start is really exciting.”

Holman is one of three forwards who have been signed with Lorne Bickley, formerly of Jersey Bulls and Hartlepool United and ex-Royston Town, Cambridge City and St Albans City striker Josh Oyinsan also putting pen to paper.

Centre-half Ryan Fryatt has also signed for Kettering having been a key member of King’s Lynn Town’s promotion-winning team in 2018/19 before injury ruled out him out of a large portion of last season as the Linnets completed a remarkable second promotion in a row by claiming the National League North title.

With young central defender Ryan Holland, who is back from the United States after attending university there, also signing, it has given Cox the perfect start to his summer recruitment.