Robinson delighted with Hungerford Town Football Club transfer business
Hungerford Town manager Danny Robinson is delighted with their summer so far.
The club have been busy in the transfer market, adding fresh faces to an already highly capable squad.
The club want to push on into the playoffs this season, having narrowly missed out after a huge post-Christmas push last term.
The club’s first move of the summer was, fittingly, for a new number one.
Former Oxford United keeper Ryan Clarke ended his time at Bulpit Lane at the end of last season, and Robinson turned to a familiar face in Luke Cairney to fill the gap.
Cairney spent time with Hungerford in the National League South, and has since spent time with Poole and Winchester.
There has been an addition in defence too, with centre-back Tyrone Duffus arriving from Gloucester.
He looks every bit a Robinson defender, with the former Everton and Cardiff youth player capable of handling himself in either box.
“He’s awesome, that’s the best way to describe him,” said Robinson.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick, he can play.
“We beat a fair few suitors.
“He was one of the best centre-halves in the league last year for Gloucester.”
Steel has been added to the midfield too, with Bristol City academy graduate Alex Monks arriving from Frome complete with a tough tackling reputation.
“He’s very good on the ball,” he said.
“But that can go unseen, because he likes to put himself about, win tackles.
“He’s full of energy and that’s the Hungerford DNA.
“Monks was by far Frome’s best player last year.”
Some signings have been brought in to add something different to the Crusaders squad.
George Britton trialled at West Brom and Holstein Kiel before spells at Aldershot and Winchester, while Zack Kotwica boasts over a hundred appearances in the National League North and South.
“Our centre midfielders were all of the same ilk, box to box and quite robust,” he said.
“These two are number tens, they play behind the centre forwards.
“They can get on the ball, and we didn’t have a true creative midfielder last season.
“With the amount of artificial pitches now, you need something a bit different.”
Fans will be excited with the additions up front.
Harry Williams arrives from Swindon Supermarine with a reputation for goals, and starred alongside the returning Conor McDonagh a few years ago.
This was a player at the top of Robinson’s shortlist.
“Harry is top drawer, the golden boot winner in this league two years ago,” Robinson said.
“A proven goalscorer, and that’s an area where we lacked last season with McDonagh’s injury.
“We’re talking about a top quality centre forward for this level.
“It’s a massive thing for us.
“When you have an opportunity to sign a player like this, you have to go for it.”
He’s joined by fellow strikers including former Bath, Thatcham and Frome man James Ollis, and Patrick Osbourne, who had a spell at Oxford City.
More business is yet to come for Hungerford, as they look to start the season strongly.
