Poppies do a bit more business as they swoop for Smith

Paul Cox is pleased Kettering Town are starting to “do a bit of business” as he begins to build his squad for the new National League North campaign.

Having already snapped up Jordon Crawford from Corby Town and former Leicester City goalkeeper Rhys Davies, the Poppies added another new signing to their ranks today (Wednesday) in the form of central defender Chris Smith

Smith featured for King’s Lynn Town in the National League last season having started his career at Ipswich Town while also having spells at Chelmsford City and Aldershot Town.

And, with the market beginning to pick up ahead of the big kick-off of August 14, Cox is pleased with his most recent additions.

“The market is starting to pick up,” the Poppies manager said.

“This is the time when things start happening with the Football League retained lists coming out.

“Everyone seems to hold their cards close to their chest until this period happens.

“We have our targets and there is movement in the market and we have started to do a bit of business, which is really positive.

“What we have got in Rhys is a keeper who has travelled very far, very quickly and he had a big price tag put alongside his name.

“And sometimes that’s tough for a young player to have that at such an early age.

“The one thing that comes across with Rhys is that he’s hungry to play and he’s hungry to progress again. I think we have an outstanding goalkeeper who is still at the beginning of his career.

“Chris still had a year left on his contract at King’s Lynn but he’s at Loughborough University and wants to stay on and do his studies.

“With Chris, we have good experience of our level of football. He played a lot of games in the season King’s Lynn went up and played 27 games before being furloughed in the division above.

“He will give us that bit of knowledge in our division.

“I think both signings are very positive for our club and I am looking forward to working with both of them.”