Kettering need goals and Holman is raring to go!

Dan Holman is back at Kettering Town and was one of three strikers who signed for the club at the weekend
Dan Holman was back under the spotlight after his return to Kettering Town was confirmed at the weekendDan Holman was back under the spotlight after his return to Kettering Town was confirmed at the weekend
Dan Holman was back under the spotlight after his return to Kettering Town was confirmed at the weekend

The statistics don’t lie, Kettering Town simply didn’t score enough goals in National League North last season.

The Poppies hit the net just 36 times in 31 league matches before the campaign was ultimately ended by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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It should, then, come as no surprise that three of the seven new signings unveiled at the weekend should be strikers.

Josh Oyinsan has signed for Kettering TownJosh Oyinsan has signed for Kettering Town
Josh Oyinsan has signed for Kettering Town

Josh Oyinsan, a 6ft 4ins frontman who has played for the likes of Royston Town, St Albans City and Cambridge City in the past, will undoubtedly add power to the frontline.

Lorne Bickley, a 22-year-old who is looking to make his way in the English game having come back from playing in America, will be something of an unknown quantity but one Paul Cox is excited about.

And Dan Holman? Well, he doesn’t need much of an introduction.

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He was a huge hit with the Poppies faithful as he hit 14 goals for the club on their way to winning the Southern League Premier Central title last year.

He subsequently joined Brackley Town but, with things not quite working out at St James Park, Cox is keen to see Holman leading the Poppies’ line next season.

And after a frustrating campaign with the Saints, the striker is raring to go.

“I played week in, week out at Kettering before and loved it and went on to Brackley hoping to go on again but unfortunately it didn’t quite work out,” Holman said.

“So I am probably even more raring to go than ever before.

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“I wasn’t playing much at Brackley and we actually spoke during last season about potentially coming back.

“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.

“The gaffer (Cox) is very clear in what he wants and I know that will help me.

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“When I spoke with the manager, John (assistant-manager Ramshaw) and Ben (coach Marvin), they are going to get a certain type of person and player here.

“I have been in so many dressing-rooms and if you get a good set of lads with a good environment and team spirit then that can get you so far.

“The gaffer would have done his homework on everyone and I am looking forward to helping to build that spirit.”

As far as personal targets are concerned, Holman added: “Every season is the same. You set your targets out to help the team and score as many as you can.

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“As a striker you know that if you can hit 20 to 30 goals, the team is probably having a pretty good season.

I don’t think any striker sets themselves a target of scoring just 10 goals. I am always aiming for 20-plus.”