Workington Reds new manager Mark Fell says that work to build a new squad at Borough Park are ongoing and a number of players have been made offers.
Fell has spoken to up to a dozen players – four of them in Scotland – but says it might take a few weeks for decisions to be made.
“As a manager I hate this time of year because really, with the season just ending it is a players’ market.
“I have spoken to a number of players who have been on our radar and although I am hopeful, it can take time to get things over the line.
“I was at the Stirling v Annan game on Saturday and actually I’ve spoken to four players who have featured over the border. Again it’s a question of waiting and seeing what develops,” he said.
Of his own nine players who the club wished to retain he says there have been positive talks with eight of them, and he was waiting to hear back from the ninth.
Fell is also keen to trawl the local scene for players who might have been at Reds before and released but are worth another chance, or who are with clubs in the county and haven’t been given an opportunity.
“I want to make sure that any local talent is given an opportunity to show what they can do for Workington Reds. There will be chances for them at training and in pre-season fixtures,” said the new manager.
The pre-season programme is likely to start with the annual pipe-opener at Whitehaven for the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy in early July and he is hopeful of a couple of matchers against Football League sides.
“I know the Macclesfield manager well and was planning a friendly against them but with Macc not gaining promotion that won’t happen now,” he said.
Fell is also keen to create a network of scouts covering games in the north of England over the coming season and are looking for volunteers to take up these roles.
As well as recommending players it will entail opposition analysis and Reds are looking for representatives in Cumbria, Lancashire, the North East, Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
