Boston United's new signings can '˜freshen up' Pilgrims' title quest following player exodus - Greene

The Pilgrims have brought in Nuneaton captain Joe Maguire, well-travelled centre back Nat Brown, who ended the campaign on loan from Lincoln City, proven goalscorer Waide Fairhurst and former Pilgrims midfielder Shane Clarke this summer, along with youngsters Courtney Wildin and Callum Chippendale.

“I’m excited about how our squad is taking shape,” admitted Greene, who told The Standard it was time to add some proven talent to an exciting young core..

“We’ve got a bit of experience this year. In the past we’ve mainly had youngsters in the team, but now we’ve added some players who have been around a bit and done it at this level and higher.

“We’ve been up there challenging in the past few years but our goals against column has been poor compared to some other teams around us.

“I think we’ve got a really solid looking defence in place on paper - something we’ve not always had, like last year when we began the season without a recognised left back - and if we can keep on attacking and looking exciting like we always have done then I think we’re in a good position.”

It’s not all good news for Boston though, with Greene admitting he is ‘disappointed’ that established first teamers Scott Garner, the club captain, and Zak Mills have turned down offers and look likely to move on.

Keeper Fabien Spiess and leading scorer Dayle Southwell also look set to move on, while Carl Piergianni has hung up his boots to go travelling.

This exodus means Greene is having to take on his first major squad rebuild in three seasons, a challenge he is relishing.

“Of course we’re disappointed that those players won’t be here, they have been important parts of the team,”Greeene added.

“But it gives us the chance to start again and, after missing out on promotion in the past three seasons, maybe we need freshening up.

“Hopefully it’ll be exciting for the fans as they have a whole new group of players to get to know.

“I’m looking forward to it with optimism, we’ll have a new team that will want to be challenging for promotion again.”

Exciting winger Kaine Felix is expected to remain with Boston, while Grant Roberts and Joe Burgess have also expressed their desire to remain at the Jakemans Stadium alongside already-contracted Jay Rollins, Lewis Hilliard and Cameron Johnson.

Strikers Mark Jones and Malachi Lavelle-Moore are also expected to report back for pre-season training along with a few trialists who have been offered the chance to impress.

Defender Richard Jones, who was injured just 69 minutes into his Pilgrims debut, has linked up with Peterborough Sports while forward Ryan Robbins has rejoined Stamford.

Maguire, 24, joined the club on Monday after leaving Nuneaton, while 27-year-old Fairhurst has previously featured for Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Torquay United and FC Halifax Town.

Clarke, 28, has recently been on the books of Tamworth while Brown, 34, offers an experienced head in the heart of defence.