Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side Ascot United have arguably made the biggest waves in the local non league transfer market this summer.
The club have been busy snapping up some talented Maidenhead United youngsters as well as retaining the core of the side that successfully steered the Yellamen away from the drop zone next season.
Ascot appointed James Tompkins in April to succeed Neil Richards who returns to his role of Director of Football, and Tompkins wasted no time in appointing Aaron Steadman and Dan Masters to his back room team.
The duo spent years helping to develop young players for National League side Maidenhead United and were key to the clubs dominance of the Allied Counties Youth League.
Related: See the full list of confirmed signings for every local club here
Influence
Steadman and Masters influence in Ascot United’s signings this pre season is certainly apparent with no less than six incoming players to the Racecourse Ground coming with previous Magpies experience.
Chief among them will be experienced centre back Tom Baddeley who as well as Maidenhead, has had spells with Marlow and Burnham and if memory serves scored a wonder goal while on loan at Bracknell Town during the 2008/09 season.
Adding power up front will be Jean-Claude Etienne who had a short but impressive spell at Binfield – he was the stand out player for the Moles in the 2016 Reading Senior Cup Final defeat to Henley Town while Nathan Minhas made a name for himself in the summers CONIFA World with four goals for Panjab as they reached the Quarter Finals.
Retained
There is of course no Ben Harris who’s goals in a short spell with the club prior to Christmas arguably gave Neil Richards side the confidence to go on an comfortably avoid the Hellenic League drop.
He headed to Slough Town in January but the retained list includes some terrific young talent in George Lock (pictured top), the captain Louis Bouwers and Jonny Denton while Trevor Mutero and goalkeeper Lee Allen are both important returning players.
The one missing piece of the puzzle? There is no word yet on last seasons top scorer Rob Lazarczuk who led the Yellamen’s scoring charts with 12 goals in 34 appearances [Update: Lazarczuk is pre season training with Windsor FC] and Barry Dunbar has been a confirmed departure.
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