Dabbers set for the next level

9:42am Friday 6th June 2008

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NANTWICH Town boss Steve Davis vowed the club will be stronger than ever for their UniBond Premier challenge.

The Dabbers have already signed five players as they prepare to play at the highest level in their history With hot-shot Michael Lennon, Peter Heler and Dave Whittaker already on board, they have wrapped up the signatures of Leek Town duo Dave Tickle and Rob Hawthorne.

“I think we’ve got the right players in and we’re still looking to add one or two more."

Nantwich boss Steve Davis

Davis and Director of Football Clive Jackson also remain hopeful of tempting central defenders Darren Tinson and Charlie O’Loughlin to the Weaver Stadium in an impressive batch of reinforcements.

“We’ve had five agree to come now,” said Davis.

“I think we’ve got the right players in and we’re still looking to add one or two more.

“I think we’ll be a lot stronger for next season.” With Leek relegated to Division One South, two have opted for a quick return to the Premier.

Left-back Tickle, 24, started out on the books of Man City before spells with Leigh RMI and Witton Albion while 23-year-old midfielder Hawthorne originally came through the Alex Academy.

“Dave’s had three seasons in the UniBond Premier and has done well so he knows all about the league.

“He’s coming to a better side in my opinion.

“He’s got a good left foot and he likes to play.

“Rob is versatile and his best position is centre-midfield.

“He was at Crewe for a long time as a trainee so he knows how to pass and play.” Davis remains optimistic of bolstering the defence with experienced Alti centre-half Tinson and former Vale player O’Loughlin who had a successful short-term loan spell at Nantwich last year.

“We’re waiting on an answer from Darren,” he added.

“Charlie will want to play as high as he can and he’s a Birmingham lad so that may also be a factor.

“But sometimes you have to take what you can get.

“The list that has just come from the Football League has over 500 names on it and I’d advise players to get sorted as quickly as possible.

“It’s even more difficult now than when I was a player.” Although Witton’s Dave McPherson is going elswhere, Davis is tracking Kidsgrove’s Mark Beeston.

“McPherson has had a good offer he says he couldn’t turn down which is fair enough,” continued Davis.

“We’re talking to Beeston.

He’s a versatile defender with good pace and we feel he’s been playing below his ability.” While delighted with a flux of quality additions, Davis admits he’s sad to see Andy Kinsey and Paul Taylor opt for North West Counties Newcastle Town.

“We hoped they’d stay,” he said.

“I thought they’d try and prove they were good enough for this league.

“We made Andy a good offer and better than what he has left for but he’s chosen to move on.

“He’s done a good job for us and we wish him well but it’s a shame because he has worked so hard to get to the level he had.

“Paul has gone for a better offer so Newcastle must be paying good money.

“We offered him what we thought he was worth but he wants some security and that’s understandable.

“He’s made a major contribution to us over the past three seasons.” Davis is still waiting to hear if defender Mark Fitton joins Taylor to Newcastle.

To stay in touch with all the latest Dabbers news over the pre-season build-up, visit www.creweandnantwichguardian.co.uk