NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Huntingdon boss happy to bring back Brockett, but believes other players are ‘scared’ to sign for Town

Huntingdon boss Bob Warby had no hesitation in handing Jordan Brockett a Town return.

The wideman started the current season as skipper only to go AWOL for an early-season fixture and then move to Godmanchester Rovers.

But he returned to the Town fold late last week and featured as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat at fellow United Counties League Premier Division strugglers Boston Town last Saturday.

“I had a message from ‘Brock’ last week saying it wasn’t working out for him at Goddy and asking to return,” said Warby. “It was my decision to release him initially and he had a look of surprise in his eyes when I notified him.

“I don’t believe he wanted to go, but not knowing what was happening with him was irritating me, and I had to put my club first.

“Sometimes managing footballers is like parenting kids. You know they are making a mistake and you be there to pick up the pieces if things go belly-up.

“Jordan means a lot to me as a person and as long as honesty is maintained, I’ll have no issues.”

There were also two new faces in the Huntingdon squad at Boston as Warby handed debuts to latest Lithuanian recruit, Rytis Pilotas, and Anderson Uduovie, who has been picked up from Peterborough & District League side Glinton & Northborough.

And Warby handed out two more Huntingdon debuts in midweek when Town were beaten 5-0 at Newport Pagnell.

Nico Staffieri, a brother of Giuliano and Addie, made his bow for the club along with Paul Chappell, a striker who has been playing in Lincolnshire.

They were two of the six enforced changes he had to make from the team pipped at Boston four days earlier.

Warby is still scouring for other possible signings, but believes many players are ‘scared’ to sign.

He added: “We are not an attractive proposition to players who have no balls.

“There are a lot of talented lads around this area, but few seem to want to be challenged. It’s a mentality I just don’t get.

“I would love a team of local lads and that is the long-term ambition, but if they are scared of putting themselves in the firing line, then what can you do?

“That’s why I’m proud of the boys we do have. It’s a tough ask to play for us and can be humiliating at times, but week after week they show up and give everything.

“These lads have the right character for me - no safety net and no mummy wiping their backside.

“They’re just an honest group of players grafting hard for one another and that works for me.”

Town host Harborough tomorrow at Jubilee Park. They remain one point and one place above bottom side Kirby Muxloe.