Anyone who has made an appearance at the Park in recent weeks or indeed visited the official WS&SCFC website© can hardly have failed to notice that one of the main talking points this season seems to be the serious strength in depth of the bulging Welton squad. With this is mind Big Al has been very active during the transfer window trying to establish links with the lower divisions and allow some of his younger stars the opportunity for the regular first team action that he may be unable to offer.
These dealings mark a remarkable turn around for the gaffer’s forays into the loan market as it is only two short seasons since ‘the social’ were themselves regarded as bottom-feeders having had a loan bid for then Lincoln City playmaker Tom Wilkinson rejected outright. Not only have they now secured the services of the undoubtedly talented Wilkinson on a permanent basis but are also in a position to send their own squad members elsewhere in their quest for games.
The first such deal sees two recent products of the youth academy Mark Daley and Mark Brewer being posted to the long established feeder club at the Royal Mail in a deal that has been sited as one of the biggest coups since David Beckham graced the fields of Preston.
A clearly enthusiastic Daley said of the move ‘I’m glad that the gaffer has chosen to address the size of the squad and I look forward to being able to stamp my authority with the Mail before hopefully earning a recall back to first team action with Welton’. Brewer added ‘It’s a great opportunity for Mark and myself, we’re very grateful that the Mail have letters join them’ (apologies but postal puns are running short). It is hoped that by sending these precocious talents to the RM they will learn from the likes of veteran centre-back Oswald ‘The Toothless Wonder’ McKinty and add a certain ‘steel’ to their game.
Only time will tell if the moves are to be a worthwhile but they certainly mark a step in the right direction for the highly ambitious Welton who look to embark on the chode to success this season having set their sights on nothing short of Kelly Read glory.
Kip Lawrence, Resident Sport Scientist