Whilst the Southern Sunday league’s transfer window never truly closes (or does it? not sure), it’s fun to imagine Sam Pearson was sat round a fax machine into the early hours, thrashing out contracts for new talent. The reality is Sam has been looking at new players in training over the summer and when possible getting them out on the pitch for trials in pre-season friendlies. After a slight exodus , new blood was desperately needed and Pearson with the help of club secretary Stuart Wood have began to make progress in this area.
As mentioned in our earlier article, The Crabs have lost some valuable experience. Popular veteran defender Adam Hutchings and unpopular veteran defender Ali Dewji both announced their retirement on the last day of the season and whilst Dewji has made a couple of appearances in training it had more of a David Brent in the Christmas Specials feel to it, as opposed to Dewji putting himself forward for one more year. Pearson has been more romantic about Hutchings’ exit, the goalscoring defender and former vice captain is following in John Martin’s footsteps and becoming a father but Pearson is not closing the door and has stated Hutchings is ‘on loan to Fatherhood’ – watch this space.
With the exit of ‘The Dewj’ and Hutchings and with Liam Mcintrye’s desire to push forward, Pearson’s first mission was to bring in defensive reinforcements. Palmer’s impressive debut season has done himno harm in consolidating a place at the back but with Martin’s parenting duties and the rest of the defence being made up of mainly full backs, the gaffer has signed Matt Pickerill. Pickerill impressed the manager in training with his strength and no nonsense style defending. Pickerill, who like a number of his teammates hails from Liverpool will fit in no problem with the Crabs.
One scouser in and one scouser out as one season wonder Jack Murray departs due to work commitments – once again Pearson has not ruled out a return and has secured his signature in case the situation changes. In terms of completely new faces, the only other unknown entity to join The Crabs is Egyptian Manc Omar
Al-Amin who has recently moved to North London. Crabs right back Gibson recommended the towering midfielder having played with him in Holland. Omar impressed the fellow Crabs in a friendly match and Pearson will be hoping he can replace Liam Weyell as a holding midfielder with a sense of calm and a great range of passing.
Riccardo Montejo will feel almost like a new signing. The Colombian striker has played sporadically having came highly recommended by captain James Coventry but it seems this year he is hoping to feature on a regular basis after enjoying a spell up top towards the end of last season. Montejo is known for his physicality and eye for goal and if you watched The Crabs last year, you’ll know this is something they desperately need.
In less exciting news but equally important, there were a few players who had uncertain futures going into the summer but Hamilton, Dalman and Cannon’s names all appear on the retained the list. The former missing a lot of last season but remains committed and the latter two plagued with injuries but willing to play when they can. ‘Retired’ stopper Dave Barnsby has also signed on for another year as a top quality back up keeper – something not many sides can boast.
Pearson told The Daily Crab he’s not finished though (sort of ruining the whole deadline charade) as he looks to further strengthen the squad with a number of players who’ve featured in pre-season. Sam, Luke, Steven and Rob (surnames not yet available) have all been linked with making permanent moves to the boys in orange.
Squad (so far):
Ashmore
Barnsby
Taylor
Gibson
Curtis
Pickerill
Palmer
Martin
Pearson
Wood
Daughtry
Coventry
Al-Amin
Murray
Farrell
Hamilton
McIntrye
Cannon
Armstrong
Dalman
The Daily Crab 