Slimbridge add youth and experience to ranks ahead of 2024/25 season
Slimbridge have teamed up with Severn Sport to announce their first new signings of the season, Jonty Welch and Haydn Evans.
Former Longlevens midfielder, Welch, joins from fellow Hellenic Premier side Brimscombe & Thrupp whilst highly rated youngster, Evans, steps up from Gloucestershire Northern Senior League side Dursley Town.
The duo are Slimbridge’s first announced new signings, with more to come on the club’s social media and website over the coming days, ahead of the opening fixture of the Hellenic Premier campaign on either Tuesday 30 or Wednesday 31 July and the Swans’ FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at Malmesbury Victoria on 3 August.
Welch has appeared throughout pre-season for Slimbridge, whilst Evans, who appeared in both defence and midfield for Dursley Town’s First and U18s sides last season, impressed at centre back in the defeat to Weston-super-Mare this week.
Following the confirmation of the new recruits, Slimbridge Co-Manager Tom Deakin gave his thoughts on the new faces in his squad:
“Jonty is a player I’ve always wanted to work with, but similar to the scenario with Sam Prior [Slimbridge’s new First Team Coach] it’s always been not quite the right time.
As soon as last season finished I was on the phone to him to bring him across. He’s a great addition to the squad.
I have known Haydn since his time with Forest Green Rovers Youth, when Josh Loveridge was his coach.
We watched him a couple of times last year against our U18s for Dursley and have spoken to Nashy [Dursley Town First Team Manager Karl Nash] a couple of times about him.
The year he had playing in the GNSL with Dursley has given him good experience in the Men’s game and he has impressed us in pre season.
We’ve tested him across the back four and he’s risen to each challenge so far, which is a massive credit to him,” Deakin said.
The Swans conclude their pre-season on Friday 26 July when they host Shortwood United at Thornhill Park.
Check Slimbridge’s social media accounts and website and over the next few days as more player announcements are released
