Stratford Town bring in six new players ahead of new season

STRATFORD Town have signed six new players as they look to strengthen for next season.

Set-piece specialist Will Grocott arrives from Kettering Town and will replace former Stratford midfielder Michael McGrath, who has moved to Hednesford.

Another key signing is former Leamington goalkeeper Niall Cooper.

Cooper will be aiming to fill the huge void left by former stopper Andy Kemp, who has decided to take time out of football.

Three-time supporters’ player of the year Kemp will remain on Town’s books, despite stepping down.

Town have made two strong additions to their back line, bringing in central defender Edi Appleton and right-back Jordan Cullinane-Liburd.

Appleton was part of the Corby Town team that won the Southern League Premier Division title in 2014-15, while Cullinane-Liburd was part of the Redditch side that just missed out on promotion last season.

Adams has also swooped for Barry Fitzharris, a defensive midfielder from Romulus and left-sided midfielder Trey Braithwaite, who returns to the club from Solihull Moors.

Stratford decided to release veteran centre-back Anthony Charles with Adams looking to shape a more youthful defence for 2016-17. The former Northampton Town defender has since signed for Halesowen Town.

The rest of Town’s squad look set to remain at the DCS next season.

Edwin Ahenkorah, Richard Gregory, Dior Angus, Jamie Sheldon, Kieren Westwood and Liam Francis have all committed their immediate futures to Town.

Read Carl Adams’ thoughts on his new signings in this week’s Herald.