Watts back for more, as six new signings arrive at Hungerford Town
Hungerford Town announced six new players last week, as winger Elis Watts re-signed ahead of the new season.
The 21-year-old Welshman found the net 20 times last campaign, with his speed and trickery a vital part of the Crusader’s attack.
Watts was keen to state how “Everyone wants to go up, to go one step further. Definitely unfinished business.”
“It’s a family club, that's one of the reasons I came back”, he said.
“It's probably the best relationship I’ve ever had with a gaffer!
“I did have a lot of interest, but nothing I was willing to leave Hungerford for!
“I still live in South Wales, so I’m doing a lot of travelling to be fair!”
Watts is keen to kick on and get stuck into pre-season, after a busy summer break.
“I went to LA, San Diego, then I went to Ayia Napa for five weeks! I’ll see how I am in pre-season after that!”
Joining Watts, six new signings were announced, with Town’s confirmed squad for next season now totalling 22.
A standout name is twenty nine year old wide man Alefe Santos. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, the right sided player moved to England aged twelve in search of sporting opportunities, having developed his early skills in street football.
Spells at Stoke, Derby and Notts County followed, with the Brazilian most recently at Poole. Alefe has made over fifty appearances in the Football League.
Joining him is another right winger, Marcel Powell. Formerly of Eastbourne Borough and Burgess Hill, the twenty year old studies at King's College London and possesses a dangerous left foot.
Watts will also be supported by the experienced James Dobson. A left footer, the thirty two year old has made over forty appearances in the National League South and thirty nine in the National League.
Midfield sees the arrival of Henry Spalding, a 26-year-old who arrives from Swindon Supermarine. A useful left foot saw the former Bristol City youngster bag 47 goals in over 180 starts for the club.
Alongside him comes one of the most exciting arrivals, in the form of 19-year-old attacking midfielder Adam Payce. A highly thought of prospect at Portsmouth, he made his debut for Pompey at the age of 17, before finding his way to Farnborough in the league above.
Up front, Conor McDonagh and James Harding were given fresh competition in the form of Jacob Bancroft, a left footed striker with plenty of experience at National League level.
The 23-year-old graduated from Swindon Town’s academy, later finding his way to Thatcham and Oxford City on his journey through non-league, before arriving at Bulpit Lane from Hanwell Town.
With striker James Harding and midfielder Louis McGrory having already arrived this month, Danny Robinson’s squad looks to be in top condition as pre-season gets underway.
See below for our full rundown of the confirmed squad so far, with positions and ages also listed:
GK - Ryan Clarke - 42
CB - Baboucarr Jarra - 30
CB - Luke Softley - 19
CB - Jack Wright - 24
CB - Matt Berry-Hargreaves - 24
RB - Rhys Tyler - 32
LB/RB - Jack Stanley - 25
LB/RB - Louie Paget - 26
LB - Ramarni Medford-Smith - 25
CM/CDM - George Smith - 25
CM/CDM - Jacob Gardiner-Smith - 26
CM - Joe Shepherd - 30
CM - Louis McGrory - 27
CM/CAM - Henry Spalding - 26
CM/CAM - Sam De St Croix - 29
CM/CAM - Adam Payce - 19
RW - Alefe Santos - 29
RW - Marcel Powell - 20
RW - Elis Watts - 21
LW - James Dobson - 32
ST - Conor McDonagh - 31
ST - James Harding - 27
ST - Jacob Bancroft - 23
