Helston Athletic manager Steve Massey has added three Devon-based players to his squad ahead of the new season.
Defenders Ryan and Scott Beattie have signed from Southern Premier side Bideford, while striker Stuart Bowker joins from Stoke Gabriel.
Brothers Ryan and Scott joined the club towards the end of last season, but the duo have agreed to remain at Kellaway Park on a permanent basis.
Massey said: “I thought they were absolutely super for us, big guys which I do like throughout the side, and both played at a much higher level, two or three steps higher in the Southern Prem.
✍🏼 | We are delighted to welcome both the Beattie boys, Ryan and Scott to the club, after signing today and becoming part of our ambitions and vision towards 20/20.#CornishFootball #COYB pic.twitter.com/uY4UehUzyZ
— Helston Athletic FC (@HelstonAFC) 9 June 2018
“They’re going to be a huge asset to us and I’m really excited that they’ve bought in to what we’re doing.
“When I first did sign them it was actually just to see us over the line for the season.
“I didn’t want the season to peter out, I wanted us to finish in the highest position which we did, so that was the short-term plan just to get us over the line at the end of the season.”
Bowker, who scored 23 goals in SWPL competitions last season, has joined following Stoke Gabriel’s demotion to Division 1 East for failing ground grading regulations.
Massey said: “He actually approached ourselves to say ‘look would you be interested, I know the Beatties, I can jump in their car,’ and there’s no way I would expect Stuart Bowker to come down here and play for us regularly in the car on his own.
“It just wouldn’t be possible, the practicalities of it, but when you’ve got two or three coming down from that area in a car, the journey seems a lot lot less.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Stuart’s come and joined us, he’s another big, imposing forward.
“He upsets defences, he’s strong, he’s big and I’m really looking forward to him joining our ambitions and vision.”
✍🏼 | We are delighted to have beaten off many other @swpleague premier teams and have signed Stuart Bowker (@BowkerStu). He’s absolutely buzzing to get started and we are very happy to have signed him. #CornishFootball #COYB pic.twitter.com/idy93k77A2
— Helston Athletic FC (@HelstonAFC) 11 June 2018
Massey is bracing himself for questions about his transfer policy, with all three signings coming from Devon, but the Blues boss reaffirmed his commitment to doing what is best for the club.
He said: “My aim is to ensure that I am nurturing and bringing on the good young local talent which we have absolutely in abundance, but if there is a desire and an ambition and a commitment to play for this football club, I don’t care where you live.
“I know players may think ‘ohh Massey’s pulling in from over there and I’m not going to get a chance’ but actually their commitment is huge because they’re going to have to give up most of their day for a matchday at home, particularly midweek, and they’re committed to it.”
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