As we enter the hectic January fixture programme, starting with a big home game against the still fancied Bradford Park Avenue FC at Keys Park tomorrow, Rob Smith and Larry Chambers have been busy this week negotiating two major signings to bolster the title challenge of the Pitmen.
Mark Beesley has transferred in from Burscough FC and will bring some additional firepower which has been missing in some of the recent games. Mark is a proven goalscorer, currently sitting at the top end of the Evo-Stik League top goalscorer chart. He has previously been with Preston North End, Chester City, Forest Green Rovers, Cambridge United and had a loan spell with our management team at AFC Telford United.
The other player who will be joining us is the excellent Liam Blakeman who had a loan spell with us from Souithport FC last season. Liam has been playing for Bootle FC for the majority of this season, close to his home town but the former Telford Player of the Season is delighted to join up with his old management team.
Rob Smith commented this afternoon “We are delighted with both acquisitions. Having worked with both players before, I am sure they will prove excellent signings for the club. Mark is in great shape and as well as being one of the leading scorers in the division. He is a clever player who I think will work well with the type of players we already have within the squad.
Liam had a successful spell with us here last season and is now also in great condition, his experience and undoubted ability will be a great asset for us in the testing months ahead. Both lads have a cracking attitude and the biggest thing that pleases me is that they both really want to be part of what we have here. It should give us all a massive boost!
And it is farewell to two Pitmen:
On the down side, we have to say farewell to Mark Danks and Chris Shaw, as the books have to be balanced.
Both lads have been awesome characters for us and I have a heavy heart letting them go. They are both fantastic lads and they will be missed but unfortunately their chances have become limited recently and we have to adhere to a budget.
I sincerely wish both lads all the best in the future and someone is going to get two very good players.”
I am sure all Pitmen supporters will join in that sentiment expressed by the manager and wish Chris Shaw and Mark Danks all the very best for the future.
