Saints owner calms fans as players drop out of squad

OWNER Mike Kearns has urged St Neots Town’s supporters “not to despair” – despite losing a couple of players from the squad over the summer.

One player who won’t be returning to Saints next season is defender Mickey Hyem, who has opted to drop down two levels to link-up with brother Chris at Godmanchester Rovers in the Ridgeons League First Division.

It is also unlikely that St Neots will have the services of defender Dallas Moore, who didn’t report back for pre-season training and hasn’t been in contact since heading home to California at the end of last season.

There are also question marks over midfielder Gavin Strachan who, after starting up a coaching school with his father Gordon in Coventry, is as yet unable to commit to the Saints for next season.

But club owner and chairman Kearns is in relaxed mood as they prepare for their first season in the Southern League Division One Central – and had this message for fans.

“As pre-season progresses, some players leave and some come in – and this year is no different,” he said.

“Please do not despair that we’ve lost a couple of players because, in Dennis Greene, we have a manager who is looking to improve the squad at every opportunity, just as he did last year.

“This club is run professionally and there are players we would like to sign, if and when they become available.

“But come our opening league fixture on August 13, our squad will be full of top quality players and stronger than at the end of last season.”

On the departure of the popular Hyem, Kearns commented: “We wish Mickey every success in the future and it is a shame he has decided to leave, because he had just completed his most successful season with us.”

In addition to goalkeeper Michael Duggan and defender David Cobb, manager Greene has revealed that midfielder Adrian Sear has signed for St Neots from Burnham.

He came on in the second half during Saturday’s 4-1 friendly defeat at home against Milton Keynes Dons, with Greene also using the warm-up fixtures to run his eye over a number of trialists.

Meanwhile Lewis Hilliard, Jordan Gent, Tim Trebes and Lewis Christon, who all missed the weekend game, will return for Saints’ upcoming friendlies.

But one player who won’t be in contention for quite some time is left-back Theo Davis, who needs a knee operation and is likely to be out until at least the turn of the year.

After tonight’s (Tuesday) friendly with Walton & Hersham, Saints host Lewes on Saturday (3pm) before entertaining Corby Town on Monday night (7.45pm).