Chairman impressed by summer recruitment process
A number of new players are set to appear at Highbury Stadium in a competitive fixture for the first time this weekend as Town take on Southend United.And chairman Andy Pilley is eagerly anticipating the fixture against the Shrimpers, and feels that promoting from within as well as adding a fresh batch of players only adds stability to the squad.
He has been impressed by the summer recruitment policy, with an onus on developing younger players, with the likes of former youth team scholars Conor Smith and Matty Williams both handed contracts.
He hopes they will follow in the footsteps of Nick Haughton, Tyler Forbes and Ash Hunter, who all broke into the first team last season.
In an interview with the Club website, Pilley said: ‘’I think the recruitment has been very positive, I think we’ve got some excellent players.
“They’ve got their best years ahead of them and we’ve got a good balance and a good blend. I’m optimistic it’s going to be a good season.”
Southend United are the first team the Cod Army will welcome to the Fylde Coast on Saturday, and given their similar journey to Town into League One, this will be no ordinary contest.
He added: ‘’They really are going to be full of momentum. It’s a fantastic feeling when you’ve just been promoted and you’re ready to go into the next season with real belief and expectation to do well.
‘’It’s going to be very difficult, we’re under no illusions of that. They’ve got a very experienced manager and a very good team so it’s not going to be easy.
‘’If we give it our best shot, hopefully we’ll be smiling come ten to five on Saturday afternoon.
‘’It’s the time of year when everyone is full of optimism and the pitch is in perfect condition and the stands are full of excitement and I can’t wait until kick-off and I’m sure the supporters feel the same.”