Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said the club is looking to draw on talent from across the South West as he seeks to build a squad ready to compete in the National League South next season.
The boss had spoken of the recent re-signing of midfielder Matt Worthington and the addition of Yeovil-born goalkeeper Will Buse as evidence of a local stamp which he is looking to put on the squad.
Speaking on Tuesday, the boss told the club’s YouTube channel: “It was key for me that I wanted to change the way we recruited. I wanted to try and have more local players which I class as areas such as Bristol, because we are out on a limb and there is no disguising that.
“But Busey fits in to that perfectly and I felt the way he conducted himself last year when he was backing up Grant Smith was really good, he never moaned and just got on with it.
“I think when he got his chance to shine, he really did and, of course, he let some goals in but he made some remarkable saves and he is a really aggressive goalkeeper.
“He wants to come off his line and affect the penalty area which is what I think we are going to need in the league we are going into.”
On Worthington, who is the club’s longest-serving player having joined in January 2019, the boss added: “He is someone who is local, he understands the club, he understands the town and it is important we show fans that we have that on our minds.
“Worthy signing was a statement for us because he gives us a lot in that attacking midfield area with his energy and athleticism. I want more goals from him, I have told him that he should be scoring ten goals a season with his technique, so it is a really exciting time for us.”
Having re-signed Worthington and strengthened his defence with the addition of Buse, who was released by Bristol City in the summer, and defender Jamie Sendles-White, Cooper said he was pleased with the additions he had made.
However, he is under no illusions that it is in the attacking department that his squad needs strengthening. The Glovers managed just 35 goals in 46 National League matches last season – but the manager his called for patience in his efforts to bring in players up front.
He added: “I know everyone will be screaming ‘please sign centre forwards’ and I am aware of that and (chairman) Martin (Hellier) is desperate for that as well.
“I could go and sign a load of centre forwards now and they might not be as good as the centre forwards I could get in a month’s time and I think it is so important we take our time.
“We have to wait and be patient for a centre forward that might be playing in League One or been released by a League One club, he thinks he’s going to get another League One club and he doesn’t, he doesn’t get a League Two club and then there’s Yeovil, who are a big club with a big project.
“He will be too good for (National League South) level and that is what I am trying to do, but in the meantime if something does come out of the woodwork and I can act, I will do it.
“But, after everything which happened last year with recruitment, it is important we take our time and make sure (our signings) are the right ones. I understand fans will be frustrated, but please give us a bit of time.”
He also spoke positively about the improvements which are starting to happen around Huish Park since the takeover of the club by Hellier with captain Josh Staunton and winger Will Dawes working alongside the new owners to give the ground a new look.
Cooper said: “Even when you are showing prospective players around and they come and they see the stadium looking good, all the work going on, it gives you a head start over other clubs.
“Those players can see this can be a really big club and that has certainly helped with Worthy and Busey staying (and coming in) and the meetings I have had with players, they have been impressed with what is going on.
“It is the local feel to it. Josh has made Yeovil his home and he is a real ambassador for the town and what we are trying to do. I have given Josh a few programmes for the training ground and the changing rooms here (at Huish Park) to be revamped and he has got Dawesy in to help him.
“It is great and it gives that feeling of togetherness and we want that place to be the best it can be.”
Why on earth have we not looked at Tony Lee of Poole Town? He is prolific and local.