The Vanarama View: The Six Summer Deals We're Excited By!

Tom Bodell from title sponsors Vanarama has taken a closer look at six signings that have caught his eye...

Jed Ward to Forest Green Rovers (loan)

Back in the National League for the first time since 2017 after making it all the way to EFL League One, Forest Green Rovers’ transfer business has been impressive.

After tying up a handful of early deals, FGR had been quiet until last week when they picked up Bristol Rovers keeper Jed Ward on a season-long loan deal.

Ward, 21, impressed on loan at Wealdstone in the first half of last season. So much so, the Gas recalled him in January and Ward made 18 League One appearances before the season’s end.

Despite only spending half a season in the National League, Ward averaged more attempted passes (37.58) per 90 minutes than any other goalkeeper in the division. He ranked second for completions with 33.24.

Clearly comfortable with the ball at his feet, Rovers have picked up the perfect goalkeeper for building attacks from the back.

Henry Sandat to Wealdstone (loan)

Another player well known to National League audiences is former Southend United striker Henry Sandat.

The 19-year-old made his professional debut with the Shrimpers in November 2022 during a 2-0 defeat to Aldershot Town. He wasn’t around for long before Hull City snapped him up.

Sandat returned to Roots Hall last term, scoring twice in 15 loan appearances, but will benefit from regular game time on loan at Wealdstone this term.

Speaking to the Southend Echo in March, Sandat said: “Scoring goals is one thing I’ve got to improve on.

“As a striker I like to play in the pocket which sometimes means I’m not in the box for the chances.”

National League defences have been put on notice.

George Wind to Southend United

Continuing the Southend theme is new Shrimpers signing George Wind, who has made the short trip across Essex from Isthmian Premier Division outfit Billericay Town.

Kevin Maher’s side already have an abundance of quality at right wing-back where Gus Scott-Morriss scored eight times and assisted a further four last term.

But Wind, who clocked up more than 100 appearances for Ricay, was named Players’ Player of the Year last season amid reported EFL interest.

The 21-year-old made his National League South debut with Billericay during the Covid-19 affected 2020/21 season as a 17-year-old.

In his own words, Wind is an attack-minded full-back who also enjoys 1v1 defending. Sound familiar, Blues fans?!

Billy Sass-Davies to Hartlepool United

There weren’t many bright spots for Boreham Wood as their nine-year National League stay ended in April. But the performances of on-loan Crewe Alexandra defender Billy Sass-Davies were an exception.

That turned out to be the last temporary switch of the 24-year-old's loan Odessey which has seen him turn out for Altrincham, Woking and Yeovil Town in the National League.

Reunited with former Woking boss Darren Sarll at Hartlepool United, Sass-Davies adds further physicality to Pools’ backline.

He won 4.65 aerial duels per 90 minutes last term, ranking 17th among all National League centre-backs. A return of 2.51 ball recoveries per 90 in the opposition’s half point to a proactive, aggressive style.

Sass-Davies will complement and already impressive central defensive trio of Luke Waterfall, Tom Parkes and Emmanuel Onariase.

Jake Vokins to Eastleigh

Eastleigh took a try-before-you-buy approach to this deal, taking former Southampton left-back Jake Vokins on loan for the final month of last season.

The 24-year-old clearly impressed ex-Saints teammate Kelvin Davis who picked him up on a free transfer this summer after 18 years at St. Mary’s.

Vokins is a former England youth international who gained experience in this division with Woking, as well as higher up the pyramid with Sunderland, then of League One.

While it’s hard to read too much into his data given the small sample size (593 minutes), a return of 11.08 successful defensive actions per 90 minutes point to a full-back that does not abandon his defensive responsibilities.

Offensively, Vokins completed 0.91 of 2.12 attempted crosses per 90 last term.

James Henry to Aldershot Town

In May, James Henry was part of the Oxford United squad that won promotion to the Championship.

So his arrival on a free transfer at the EBB represents something of a coup for Aldershot Town.

Now 35, the attacking midfielder counts Reading, Millwall, Wolves and Bolton Wanderers among his former clubs and represented England at Under-19 level.

Capable of playing in central midfield, on either flank or through the middle as a No.10, it will be fascinating to see how Henry fits into Tommy Widdrington’s wing-back system.

Injuries restricted Henry to just 291 minutes of League One action last term – he will be eager to make up for lost time in his new surroundings.

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