Tony Bugby continues to preview the Tameside teams which kick off their Northern Premier League campaigns this weekend and today spotlights Hyde United.
Nick Spooner is confident his recruitment will help Hyde United rectify last season’s failings when their promotion bid faltered in the run-in.
The Tigers’ manager points to the vast experience new signing Lewis Alessandra and Harry Bunn bring to the Project Solar Stadium – almost 700 matches in the EFL.
“I looked to the end of the season when the wheels fell on and we lacked experience and how to win games,” said Spooner.
Spooner, pictured, revealed both players were keen to join the club and he did not need a big selling pitch.
“Lewis approached us in late May and has been totally professional in sorting out what he had to do with South Shields. He is a superb pro and a winner,” Spooner continued.
“We made a move for Harry towards the end of last season, but it did not happen. He saw we had a successful season and was keen to join us.”
Alessandra and Bunn join forces with Jack Redshaw as the three forwards have made more than 850 appearances between them in the EFL.
“When you look at their experience, along with that of Brad Roscoe and Callum Spooner, we have players who have been there and done it, have won promotion, appeared in play-offs and big FA Cup games,” said Spooner.
Sprinkled with the seniors are younger players with Wilf Riley, Ben Lowe and Cole Dewhurst promoted from the U21s while Harry Ditchfield’s status continues to grow.
Spooner will operate with a squad of about 17 players, admitting it is difficult to keep everyone happy if it larger.
He added he is happy with the squad he has assembled, though he does not rule out further transfer activity.
“If players become available, we will be interested such as EFL clubs allowing players go out to develop their careers,” he said.
Spooner had a larger than anticipated rebuild after senior players Tom Pratt, Liam Tongue, Jordan Fagbola and Dan Atherton all decided to move on.
Ironically, Pratt and Tongue will be back at Hyde on Saturday when their new employers Guiseley are the visitors for the opening game of the season in Northern Premier League, premier.
“They are two great lads. I will shake their hands and say hello before the game and then have a pint with them afterwards,” he said.
Spooner is satisfied with how pre-season has gone as it has enabled him to experiment.
He explained: “I am happy as we got out of pre-season what we wanted to. It enabled me to try a couple of different formations.
“We were not obsessed by results, but more individual performances while we also came through injury free.”
Spooner was appointed towards the end of the 2021-22 season to replace Jim Gannon with the club battling relegation.
He said: “I was brought in to improve the football club and we did well to stay up.
“We were probably one of the favourites to go down last season and realistically we were looking for the top 10 and may be challenge for the play-offs.
“It was disappointing how we tailed off as we were second in the table in February and looking dead certs for the play-offs and then we had an awful run. Looking back, though, we probably overachieved.
“It was an enjoyable season, and we had a great dressing room, something we also have this season.”
Spooner added he also learned from last season, admitting he probably didn’t rotate his squad enough.
“I am used to coaching academies when you only have 20 games a season and we had played 28 by the end of November,” he said.
“You also have to take into account players are juggling work and home life with their football. That is why I have signed versatile players who can play in multiple positions so I can change things.”
Spooner believes NPL, premier will be as competitive as it was last season, if not more.
“Macclesfield have been promoted and have invested a lot as have Worksop who have also come up while Radcliffe have signed some very good players,” he said.