Pilgrims on the move: Boston United players find new clubs

A number of last season's squad are signing for new teams...
Ben Middleton.Ben Middleton.
Ben Middleton.

Boston United may be preparing to complete the season as they focus on the National League North play-offs, but some members of last season's squad have already found new clubs for the 2020-21 campaign...

BEN MIDDLETON

Defender Middleton's move to Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Grantham Town was announced this week.

The former North Ferriby United player joined Craig Elliott's Pilgrims on loan from Harrogate Town in December 2017, going on to make his move permanent.

Injury saw him sidelined for three months of the 2018-19 season, while this term he has struggled to make the right back position his own following competition from the likes of Karl Byrne, Demeaco Duhaney, Tyrell Warren and Alex Penny.

In total, Middleton has made 52 appearances for the club, scoring once.

GEORGE GREEN

Former Everton youngster Green raised a few eyebrows when his summer move to York Street was announced.

The club had high hopes for the playmaking midfielder, who had previously played for Kilmarnock, Tranmere Rovers, Chester and Nuneaton Town.

The form of Tom Platt, Andi Thanoj and Brad Abbott limited Green's chances and, with the likes of Jonathan Wafula, Martyn Woolford and Simon Heslop at the club, he hasn't featured for Boston since November's FA Trophy defeat at Atherton Collieries.

He made a total of eight appearances, five off the bench, and scored once.

Last month it was announced Green will link up with Ossett United in the Northern Premier League Division One North West next season.

TOM CLARE

Towering striker Clare was something of a revelation when he joined Boston on loan from Bradford City at the end of the 2018-19 season, scoring three times in two starts and five appearances off the bench.

The Pilgrims fought off interest from rivals clubs to snap him up last summer and he netted twice in eight appearances this season.

However, Jordan Thewlis, Jake Wright, Shaun Tuton and Dominic Knowles soon found themselves favoured to the target man.

Loan spells at Frickley and Ossett followed before Clare made the switch to National League North rivals Bradford Park Avenue.

This summer Clare has joined Northern Premier League Premier Division Buxton, where he will team up with ex-Pilgrims Shane Nicholson and Stephen Brogan.

MATT CHALLONER

Defender Challoner won the National League North play-offs with Chorley last season, but joined Boston in March after being released by the Magpies.

Challoner is yet to play for Boston as the season was postponed and then settled on points per game before he got the chance to pull on a shirt.

He is still involved with the squad's play-off campaign but has agreed to join National League North side Southport next season.