Needham Market boss Richard Wilkins has received a double boost at the start of a busy home spell for the Marketmen.
Wilkins has swooped to sign ex-Luton Town, Dagenham and Lowestoft defender Curtley Williams, as well as welcoming back striker Jon Sands into this weekend’s squad for Saturday’s Bostik Premier clash against Met Police at Bloomfields.
Williams, 27, who played three times for the Hatters in League Two before injury halted his progress, joined National League Dagenham & Redbridge. Another injury has hindered his progress.
But Wilkins has kept in touch with the former Ipswich Town academy player and is delighted to get his signature.
“It’s a really good signing for us,” Wilkins said.
“Curtley will bring not just quality, but experience to the squad. He’s a great communicator too. He can play anywhere in defence and holding midfield.
“It’s not easy to sign quality players, but Curtley lives in Needham and I’ve been in constant touch with him while he recovers from his latest injury.
“He’s been training with us for a few weeks now and he’s ready to play. He’ll go straight into our squad against Met Police.”
Wilkins, whose side sit fourth bottom of the Bostik Premier, just two points off bottom-placed Worthing, need to start picking up points.
They have three games in a week at Bloomfields, starting tomorrow against Met Police, with Leatherhead the visitors on Tuesday night and Folkestone next Saturday.
Having striker Sands back will be another big lift for the Marketmen.
“It’s good to have him back,” Wilkins said.
“He will give us a big boost.
“He scores goals, we all know what Jon can do.
“With Adam Mills nearing fitness too, it looks like I may have a full squad again for the first time since pre-season.
“We’ve been playing well enough, just not getting the results. Quite honestly, we are playing better at times this season than last. But last season while we were getting the wins we deserved, this season we are not.”
With only one team going down from Bostik Premier this season, Needham have a little bit more breathing space than in previous seasons, when four went down.
But it is tight, and Needham will want to make the most of these three games this week.
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