Lee Allinson: Dagenham & Redbridge have ‘done really good business’ in major rebuild

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Dagenham & Redbridge manager Lee Allinson says the club have “done really good business” after overseeing a major rebuild that has already seen 11 new signings arrive at Victoria Road ahead next season.

The Daggers have been one of the busiest National League South sides in the transfer market so far, with Allinson moving quickly to reshape his squad well before the players return for pre-season training.

The club appointed the 44-year-old as manager at the start of May as he left his role in charge of league rivals Hemel Hempstead Town.

Early business this summer has brought a blend of experience and youth, with former Boreham Wood keeper Nathan Ashmore and Woking midfield master Harry Beautyman among the senior arrivals, alongside a wave of younger additions as part of a clear recruitment strategy.

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Good business

Allinson says his preference is always to have his squad largely in place before the first session on the grass, allowing time for integration rather than bedding in players midway through pre-season.

“We’ve done some really good business,” he told the club’s media.

“I think you’re looking at the squad now where we’ve announced Nathan and Harry, and it looks like we’ve got a lot of older players coming through the door, but they’re great guys with great experience, very fit.

“Then we’ve gone down the young route which we said we were going to do and some really exciting talent.

“Things take time and we’ve got to embed everyone but I’m one of those that like to start with my squad ready for day one of pre-season and not look to be bringing players in who don’t know anyone halfway through pre-season.

“So I’m really pleased where we are. I think we’ve got a fantastic squad that we’re building and now in three or four weeks’ time we’re able to get out on the grass, get the balls out and start working with them and I’m really excited to do that.”

Through the door

Among the other new arrivals already confirmed are Jet Dyer, Liam Vincent, Davide Rodari, Josh Addae, Henry Hawkins, Antony Papadopoulos, Kymani Thomas, Archie Tamplin and Kane Crichlow.

Despite the volume of business already completed, Allinson says the recruitment drive is not quite finished yet, with a few more additions still expected, as well as potential outgoings.

“I’m hoping for three more signings through the door and then that’s us done,” he added.

“Unfortunately with that we may have to say goodbye to a couple of players and as I say that’s football unfortunately, but I can only have players at the football club that I see that are going to play.

“I’m not one of those managers that likes to hold people back if they need to get out and get playing and that’s what they need to go and do.”

Reset

Allinson also stressed the importance of building not just a squad, but a structure behind the scenes, with a new-look coaching team also taking shape at Victoria Road.

The reshaped backroom staff includes Andy Carroll as player-assistant manager following his interim spell in the latter part of the campaign just gone.

“This is a new beginning at this football club,” he said.

“It’s a new ownership. A new beginning, new people, and I’m very much about building the rapport with the supporters.”

Right people

He continued: “The one thing that they’ll never question is our desire to win games of football.

“Whether it’s good enough or not is another question but this team will be full of desire, hard work and it will be a real exciting group that we’ve got here and we’re building.

“It’s not just for this year. It’s over the next two, three seasons. We want to be playing exciting, attractive football but also wear that badge with pride and let the supporters see that they really care.

“That’s the biggest thing for me. Everyone that we got through this door want to care for this football club and give them the good times back.

“You’ve got to be patient. It’s going to take time. Success isn’t built overnight. It’s built over a long period of time.

“The people here now are the right people to be at this football club.

“We need to turn this place into a fortress and get the supporters behind us, pushing us every step of the way.”

READ MORE: Lee Allinson joins Dagenham & Redbridge as Hemel Hempstead Town reappoint Lee Bircham