BUSY Redditch Borough’s building for the new campaign continues in earnest with significant developments on and off the pitch.
Manager Julian Workman has managed to land three of his top summer targets in goalkeeper Lee Garghan, up and coming midfielder Romario Ellis and central defender Gareth Parfitt.
The triple boost is welcome on the back of the news Garrath ‘Chopper’ Hodgetts is set to join fellow Midland League Division Two side Fairfield, while all-rounder Luke Bowles has switched to Alcester Town in search of more regular first-team football.
Workman also seems resigned to losing Alvechurch trialist Luke English and, with goalkeeper Ryan Young already signed by Studley, his reinforcements arrive at a good time.
“We are delighted to bring in all three lads who will each add something different in their own right,” said Workman.
“Lee is at a different stage of his career to Ryan and, as gutted as we are to be without who we regard as the best keeper in the league, Lee brings a lot to the party.
“His experience will be key to his own game and will have an influence on the rest of the boys. Goalkeeping is a specialised art and we feel it is important to have that knowhow.
“We will miss Chopper as a player and person but he made a call for personal reasons and we respect that and wish him well. It makes Gareth’s arrival even more important and again, having a player with that knowledge helps to soften the blow.
“As for Romario, he is exactly the type of player who can benefit from being at Borough. Between Sutton Coldfield’s U23s and Castle Vale, he did not get to play as much football as he would have liked, but has that raw talent and great desire to get out and show what he can do.”
Meanwhile, a host of local companies are mucking in as work on the club’s new Mettis Sports & Social Club headquarters continues at a blistering pace.
Titanium VIP Service Home Improvements, RJS Flooring Solutions, Redstone Plumbing, DMG Groundworks and Hawthorne Building Services have all weighed in with significant labour and materials as Borough’s drive for the best possible facilities for all strikes a chord with the local community.
“It is hard to put into words how much we all appreciate the help,” added Workman. “I think the best display of gratitude is the smiles on the faces of our children and parents.”
Borough have also launched a donation system whereby football boots can be provided for children who do not have access to a pair. The plan is to ensure all youngsters can join in, with volunteer Donna Amphlett urging anyone with a spare pair to get in touch via email at [email protected].
