More Comings & Goings at Leamington

Manager Paul Holleran has utilised the `Twelfth Man` fund to bolster his attacking options with the signing of striker Colby Bishop (pictured).

The 20-year-old ended last season with National League North side Boston United having cancelled his contract at Worcester City, who he signed for last summer.

He began his career at Notts County, coming through the youth system before being handed a contract by then manager Shaun Derry in November 2014, making his first-team debut on Boxing Day the following month at MK Dons.

Bishop also spent a spell on loan at Gloucester City towards the end of his time at Meadow Lane, so will be well aware of what the league is all about.

Holleran was pleased to have fought off the attentions of other clubs to bring in a player he has tracked for some time, saying: “I have kept an eye on Colby for a while, we have tried to bring him to the club once before but we’re delighted that he has agreed to come to us. He’s a good size and a great target man and I think he’s got a big future in the game. He feels that Leamington is the right club for him at the moment, so I’m delighted with that and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Meanwhile, Connor Gudger and Richard Taundry have agreed terms to remain at the club for the forthcoming season, meaning that with Tony Breeden and Jamie Hood also back on board, Holleran already has a large chunk of last season`s solid defensive unit in place as Leamington prepare to tackle the National League North once more.

“I’m delighted that Connor and Richard, who were both such a large part of the success we had last season, have agreed to remain at the club,” said the Leamington boss. “I think both lads are settled at the club and are looking forward to helping us have another crack at Step 2 football next season.”

Both Gudger and Taundry passed 100 appearances for the club last season, and while Gudger has virtually made the left wing-back spot his own since arriving at the club in February 2015, Taundry has grown more and more into his role on the opposite side, so much so that he is almost a permanent fixture there now, after arriving predominantly as a midfielder towards the end of our last campaign in the National League North.

However, defender Ben George and striker Richard Gregory have become the first members of last season`s promotion-winning squad to leave the club for pastures new.

George was with the Brakes for two seasons, and although he had some bad luck with injuries and subsequently struggled to get game time after Richard Taundry's impressive switch to his right wing-back position, he made seventy-three appearances for Leamington, scoring one goal. Over half of those came in his first season, where he was an integral part of our defence as we reached the play-off final.

Gregory joined midway through last season in December, making his debut in a goalless draw at Frome Town, but he really made his mark in the following two games, scoring both in the win at Kings Langley before scoring on his home debut on Boxing Day against his old club Stratford Town.

He did not score again until March as he was restricted mainly to appearances from the bench, but bagged a goal with his first touch after coming on against St Neots Town.

Having made eighteen appearances for the Brakes, but only seven starts, he has decided to join Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stafford Rangers.

Holleran said of the departing pair: “After discussions with Ben George and Richard Gregory, both players have decided to leave the club.

“Richard found it difficult to break into the starting eleven after a good start for us, and he has decided that his future lies elsewhere. He scored some important goals for us to help us gain precious wins, and while I'm sure he is disappointed that things didn't work out a little better here he was always a model professional, and I am sure that with a regular run of games he will be successful wherever he chooses to go next.

“Ben has been with us for two seasons now but he has seen his opportunities limited of late, and we agreed that it would be best for him to be getting regular games at this stage of his career. He has also been a great professional despite his disappointments, and he will be an asset to whichever club he signs for. Both players will always be welcome back at Leamington”.