‘We’ve had good conversations’: Brackley Town boss Andy Whing targeting ‘hungry’ and ‘ambitious’ new signings
It’s all gone rather quiet on the transfer front but Brackley Town are working hard in the background to put together a competitive squad ahead of next season.
The Saints board retain full faith in Andy Whing despite the recent relegation back down to the Enterprise National League North, with the head coach heavily involved in recruitment.
Working alongside Whing to sign players are new department head Joe Taylor and former captain Gareth Dean in a fresh leadership structure.
It may not feel like it considering Brackley still have just two contracted players, but Whing, Taylor and Dean have been building shortlists, laying the foundations for potential signings.
“We’re putting feelers out there, we’ve got lists, we’re watching players all the time, we’re speaking to people all the time,” Whing told @BrackleyTownFC in a recent interview.
“A lot of players - especially those out of contract - are usually waiting for what comes up. So, it’s always going to be quite quiet but we’ve had good conversations.
“You have hundreds of conversations. A lot of them don’t materialise but it’s about letting people know you’re interested. We have lists in every area of the types of players we want.”
There was little excuse for Brackley’s torrid run of form at the end of last campaign, as Whing oversaw just one victory in his 16 matches, losing 12.
But, in fairness to the boss, he didn’t have the squad at his disposal to play his preferred three-at-the-back formation. Whing also had to contend with loads of injuries.
“We want young and hungry players who want to be at the football club, not just coming here for an extra 50 quid a week,” Whing said of the type of profile he’s seeking in new additions.
“We don’t want journeymen who’ve been at every club under the sun. I want them to be hungry and ambitious, wanting to be League footballers.
“We’re really excited about bringing those kinds of players in. Obviously there’s got to be a mix, we need that experience within the team.
“We’ll do our due diligence in terms of that. Joe (Taylor) and Gaz (Dean) will help to find the true characters to fit into our dressing room and the ambitions of our football club.”