Golcar United have announced five new signings as joint managers Ash and Gavin Connor “get the business done early” ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Gregg Porter, Graham McLachlan, Leon Henry, Dan Naidole and Oliver Willets have all put pen to paper, much to the delight of the managerial brothers.
Ash Connor said it was always the plan to get the club’s business done early and he was pleased they managed to tie up deals before playing in the Yorkshire Trophy.
Connor said: “We wanted to retain all the lads who played for us in the Yorkshire Trophy and we have signed five new players who have managed to play for us in some of those games.
“All five will add quality to the squad and competition for places. We wanted to get the business done early and give the lads a chance to play with the current players in the squad. All five played in the Yorkshire Trophy and that is what we wanted to do. We won’t really be signing anyone else now.
“The thing I like is that they have all played and won things and I want them all to be successful with us.”
Of the players they’ve signed one includes an experienced goalkeeper, Graham McLachlan.
On the 40-year-old stopper Connor said: “Graham is a very experienced goalkeeper and did play for us in the Yorkshire Trophy where he did well. He was keen to stay so we made sure we tied him down to a deal.”
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The club has also got a full-back as former Brighouse Town player Leon Henry joins United. The 34-year-old left-sided player scored the goal that promoted Brighouse in 2014. He’s also played for Ossett Town.
Connor is pleased he has his man and said: “Leon is an experienced full-back who we signed from Yorkshire Amateurs. He is going to be a great signing for us.”
The club has also invested in three midfielders. One is a familiar face in Gregg Porter who was at the club until last year.
“Gregg was with us in our first ever season as a semi-pro player. He is a tough tackling centre midfield player. He was out last year and played in the local leagues but we are really glad to have him back.”
United have also brought in attacking midfielder-cum-striker Dan Niadole. He comes from a Fijian international Rugby Union and Rugby League family. He has played for Huddersfield YMCA. He was a member of Brighouse Town’s 2014 NCEL Premier Division title winning team.
On bringing the 30-year-old in, Connor said: “He’s another we have signed from Yorkshire Amateurs. He’s had a great career and played at Evo Stik level. So he’s another player we are excited to have.”
Finally they have signed local district combative midfielder Oliver Willets.
Connor said of the 26-year-old: “We signed Oli from local district side Honley. He’s a hard-working centre midfield player who we are glad to have with us.”
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