HEBBURN Town manager Kevin Bolam has called for patience as he looks to add to his squad ahead of the new Northern Premier League East Division season.
It was confirmed last week that the Hornets were one of the three Northern League clubs to have been successful in their applications for promotion into Step 4 of the Non-League system.
That means the 2019- 20 FA Vase winners will spend next season competing at the highest level in their history – and Bolam is determined to ensure he has a squad capable of challenging the likes of Marske United, Tadcaster Albion and Dunston UTS.
His summer business got off to a flying start when he secured the futures of all-but-one of his promotion-winning squad.
The only departure was veteran striker Graeme Armstrong after he confirmed his retirement following over 20 goal-laden years in the game.
Replacing the former Gateshead and Darlington frontman is high on Bolam's agenda.
He told The NLP: “The first objective when the season ended was getting the existing players tied up. I am now working hard to bring in two or three to give us a bit of competition for places all over the pitch.
“Replacing Graeme is the big move for us and that is something we are working hard to sort out.
“There are lads in the squad who can play as a number nine, we know we have that option – but we still want to bring in another player to play at the top end of the pitch.
“We are in the market, but we have to stay patient and make sure we bring in the right players and characters to fit into the dressing room.
“We have a tight changing room. That hasn't been done overnight and we wouldn't want to jeopardise the positive atmosphere.”
