Ilkeston's squad grows as four more sign up
FOUR more new players have been added to Ilkeston Town's ever-growing squad as manager Kevin Wilson presses on with the policy of building a strong spine to his side.
Defender James Dudgeon and midfielder Chris Davies joined the ranks to add to the acquisitions of Gary Ricketts and Paul Dempsey who signed at the end of last week.
The 28-year-old Dudgeon has Conference experience with York City, Scarborough and Halifax Town as well as at Gainsborough Trinity.
The Scottish youth international began his career at Barnsley, where he spent five years, but also had a loan spell at Lincoln City. Davies started at Lincoln and was most recently with Frickley Athletic.
"With Kieron Murphy already signed, I am really pleased to have got James," said Wilson who wants an experienced base for the Conference North assault.
At the other end of the team, he has brought in striker Ricketts who recently helped Tamworth get promoted into the Blue Square Premier..
Former Northampton Town midfielder Dempsey has also joined the Robins while ex-Derby County forward Mark Stallard has been approached about a move to the New Manor Ground.
Wilson said:"You have got to be strong down the spine of the team but we need to be quick to break on the wings. We need the right experience in the right areas.
"But we also need some lads with an extra bit of energy." He is planning to sign two talented 18-year-olds shortly.
The need for speed underlined his readiness to tackle Eastwood Town's move for star winger Sam Duncum, after Badgers' manager Paul Cox revealed an interest on an official website.
Wilson said:"If it came from a club higher up, I would let him go. But with anyone from our league, I have a problem.
"You don't want to be feeding people in the same league. If he does next season what he did in the Unibond Prem, he will go to a higher league.
"But we do realise everyone has a price, although I'd certainly like to keep him," said Wilson.
Midfielder Steven Istead has joined Mansfield Town for an "undisclosed fee" in a deal which developed before Wilson's arrival.
The manager said: "I had a good career in the game and I don't want to stop people progressing. I wish him well and I am sure the Ilkeston fans will as well."
He was delighted with the signing of Ricketts, 33, who has proved to be a formidable striker in a career embracing Arnold, Hinckley United, Nuneaton Borough and Hucknall where Wilson managed him.
Born locally, Ricketts was on the books of Nottingham Forest as a teenager but a road accident put him out of the game for five years. His return began at Heanor Town where his goal-scoring soon attracted the scouts.
"He has good experience at this level. He will certainly give us the power," said Wilson who also has strikers in Jon Douglas and Amari Morgan-Smith.
Dempsey should provide midfield choices and will add to the steel in that department. He played at Wakefield during the last campaign.
Transfer target Stallard scored 134 goals in 450 Football League games and briefly managed the Stags before the arrival of David Holdsworth. His most productive period was when he scored 66 goals in 185 games for Notts County.
Wilson is still talking to former Rotherham United forward Tom Cahill, who helped Ilkeston gain promotion from the Unibond Premier during a six-month loan.
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Weather for Ilkeston
Friday 25 May 2012
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