Driver happy with his new Leiston signings, who he admits will give him ‘more options’

Leiston manager Glenn Driver, happy with his new signings (Image: Paul Leech)

Driver made it five new players in at Victory Road yesterday, with the signings of goalkeeper Marcus Garnham (from AFC Sudbury) and striker Christy Finch (from Norwich United).

Those two, coupled with the already signed Dominic Docherty, Rob Eagle and Kyle Hammond has seen Driver and the Blues one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market with the summer still young.

However, Driver is more than happy for it to be that way, wanting to strike while the iron was hot – and then look forward to a bit of break.

“Getting Marcus in and Christy back – he played for us at the start of last season – is good news for the club,” Driver said.

“That’s pretty well five in, five out for us and I think the players we have signed will not only freshen things up, but will also give me more options.

“I still have a few odd contract pieces to tie up with a couple of players and I have my eye on bringing one other in and then I’m looking forward to a break to be honest.”

Driver and Leiston finished seventh in the Ryman Premier last season – Suffolk’s top performing non-league side.

Joe Francis in flying action for Leiston last season. Glenn Driver admits he would have like to have kept Francis, who has moved to Felixstowe & Walton (Image: Archant)

It was a dramatic and memorable season for the Blues who at one stage looked odds-on to at least reach the play-offs, before heartbreakingly falling short on the final day of the season.

“It was a really good season and I must admit it has made me realise just what a big job this is at Leiston,” Driver said.

“I think I took things a bit for granted if I’m being honest last season, but I won’t be doing that this year, I realise how lucky I am to have such a good job in this division.”

While Driver looks forward to the new season with his new signings, the Victory Road fans will have to get used to no Nico Muir, Joe Francis, Gareth Heath or Ashlee Jones in Blues’ colours next year.

“As I said, we have have freshened things up and I have more options now, it would have been nice to have kept Joe and Nico,” Driver said. “But it wasn’t to be. I’m more than happy with the players we have brought in.”