Liam Watson closes in on first transfer targets
AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson today revealed he's close to landing his first summer signings just days after their campaign was completed.
The Bucks boss is determined to get his close-season business under-way as soon as possible, after leading the club to the Skrill Conference North title.
Watson is hoping to complete his first deals over the next week and will be keeping tabs on a number of situations, over the summer and into next season.
He said: "I am trying to get the ball rolling quickly and I am close to agreeing terms with one or two players, but their contracts don't run out until the first week in May.
"They can't sign for us until then, so we have just got to wait. It comes with the territory. Even after the season has began, we need to keep finding golden nuggets.
"Once players perform at that level, you tend to lose them."
Chris Lever, Wes Baynes, Neill Byrne, Russell Benjamin, Sean Clancy and Tony Gray will all be staying at the New Bucks Head, as they have a year left on their contracts.
Sean Cooke also has terms for another season but is likely to be moved on, finishing the season out on loan at his former club AFC Fylde after a fall-out with Watson.
The Telford chief will also take up the one-year option on top scorer Adam Farrell's deal, the striker scoring 17 goals in his debut season after also joining from Fylde.
The only players to stay on when he arrived as manager last season, goalkeeper Ryan Young and defender Dan Preston, represent a number of out-of-contract players.
Watson said: "I am going to be busy for the next couple of weeks, it's back to business for me and it's a big job I have got to do to make us ready for the next level.
"I have got to kick on early doors, it's vital for a club of our size and stature to do our business early but it was a lot harder last year, when I only had two players.
"There a core of a squad here now, but I want to strengthen all over the field. I need to do that as soon as possible."
