8:20am Friday 20th July 2007
By Wiltshire Times Reporter
DEVIZES Town have secured the services of six new players for the coming Toolstation League season, with 21-year-old centre-half Ryan Trowbridge, 20-year-old central midfielder Kris Beasley, 20-year-old left back Jamie Lyons, 30-year-old striker Joe O'Chuko, 25-year-old midfielder Lee McMullen and 26-year-old right back Matt Dabal all putting pen to paper last night.
McMullen and Dabal join from Hellenic League Premier Division side Highworth Town while Trowbridge, Beasley, Lyons and O'Chuko all join from now defunct Biddestone.
Manager Paul Thompson and assistant Steve Hale were delighted with their signings, with Hale saying: "Having played with the four ex-Biddestone lads last season I saw at first hand they had the potential to step up. By their own admission were playing in their comfort zone last season.
"They have shown renewed enthusiasm and are desperate to prove themselves in the premier division which is exactly the type of player myself and Thommo want to work with.
"Three of them played at Highworth on Tuesday and were superb and if they maintain that level of performance they will be great signings for the club. O'Chuko scored 14 goals in 29 games last season and has a lot of pace."
Hale added: "I played with McMullen and Dabal a number of years ago at Hungerford Town and Highworth Town but they have since lost their way but their enthusiasm is back, their fitness is improving with each session and they have the ability to play this level."
More goalkeeping cover has been added with veteran Wantage Town keeper Paul Belcher agreeing to sign forms to act as cover.
The bad news for Town is that three local players have decided to call it a day, leaving manager Thompson not a happy man.
"One is getting married and can earn money to pay for the wedding, which is fair enough, but the other two have both said they just don't want to play football which for players in their early-mid 20s I find staggering, " he said.
"Myself and Haler said we wanted to try and use local players if they are good enough which those three are, but players have to want to play, so we will move on without them and work on bringing others in who do want to play and work hard.
"I'm pleased eight local players also signed on after training last night including Gary Campbell who missed most of last season through injury so that's like signing a new player."
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