Bray leaving for the champions
Published on 14th August 2008 in Ents
A third regular member of last season's squad has decided to leave the Vikings days before they embark on their UniBond League One South campaign at Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
Last season's leading scorer Duncan Bray is expected to join last season's One South champions Retford United, as and when they tender the correct notice of approach to the club.
Bray, who joined Goole in October, 2006 scored more than 40 league goals for the Vikings and forged an excellent partnership with Andy Parton in that first season. It was hoped that with the former Scunthorpe United striker returning after a season's absence, that might flourish again.
The departure leaves three strikers in the Vikings fold, the afore-mentioned Parton, Chris Tate and Karl Rose, both of whom have looked in good form pre-season, and with Parton finding the net regularly, prospects are still good as the club look to claw back that 10-point deduction for entering a CVA over the HM Revenue and Customs case.
There will be a new look in places about the Vikings: Liam Chapman and Ian McLean gone from the defence, James O'Neill injured, the midfield minus Andrew Jackson - who, like Chapman, is at North Ferriby United, and now Bray.
However, one or two new faces who are likely to be in the squad for the first game are Luke Jeffs, who has looked promising in the trial matches; Jamie Hainsworth, a new centre half from Yorkshire Amateurs; Shaun Ward and Darkes from Maltby Main; and Chris Kamara, who has re-signed.
The Vikings were hoping to sign an experienced centre half from the Premier Division, and it may still happen before the weekend, but with Chris Jenkinson fit for this weekend the likelihood is he will be in the middle of the back four, available for the opening games before leaving for a trip round the world.
James McDaid and Danny Buttle have looked sharp, too, and if they can provide the ammunition for Chris Tate, the welcome return of Andy Parton, more so with Rose still nursing a rib injury, could be a vital ingredient for Goole to get off the mark - which they must do quickly.
Next Tuesday, Lincoln United will be the first home opponents, kick off 7.45pm, and a busy first nine days is completed with a Bank Holiday programme at Shepshed and at home to Retford United, which may take on even more meaning.
Of the season ahead, manager Nigel Danby admitted yesterday morning: "Naturally it would be better if we weren't ten points down before starting, but we have a decent start on paper, and will have to get on with it."
He also echoed the chairman's sentiments from earlier in the pre season when pointing out ten points were lost just as poorly on the field in the final month of last term.
Generally happy with the build-up, Danby said: "Of the three players that have left, or are leaving, we will probably miss Liam Chapman the most. We had a great seven months out of him last season, and when he was injured, that is where our problems started.
"Ideally, I would like to sign one or two more players, but there is daft money flying around at the moment, and when players find they are not part of it where they are, they may consider a drop to the UniBond South."
"Saturday's opponents Kidsgrove have almost totally changed their side, and although they improved towards the end of last season they did finish second from the bottom.
"I don't think there will be a repeat of that, and believe that Goole can claw back some of those points on Saturday, and they need all the support possible through the turnshiles on Tuesday against Lincoln United."