Pitchero Non League

....Counties League Premier Division club Spalding United.

Cultured former Leicester City, Wycombe, Notts County and Lincoln City midfielder Stefan Oakes could be the next high-profile arrival at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Oakes, 34, made his top-flight appearances between 1998 and 2002 while on the books of Leicester.

He is now to train with the Tulips ahead of a possible tilt at the UCL title. Oakes was introduced to the club by existing player Jay Smedley.

Spalding boss Pat Rayment said: “It’s brilliant that a former Premier League player is coming down to show me what he can do. You don’t expect that to happen when you’re a manager at this level!

“Blue Square Bet Premier side Tamworth are also very interested in Stefan, but he has just set up a new business and can’t really commit to full-time football.

“He just wants to play and we can certainly give him that opportunity providing everything goes well.

“You only have to look at Stefan’s CV to see he is a terrific player. I had a refreshing chat with him the other day when he didn’t mention demands once.”

Oakes would not be the only former professional at ambitious Spalding.

Former Peterborough frontmen Francis Green and Shane Tolley, and ex-Torquay and Boston United defender Lee Canoville are already at the club.

Oakes is not the only potential newcomer at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Soham Town Rangers wideman Dan Cotton is expected to sign on the dotted line ahead of a weekend trip to struggling Irchester United, while Rayment has slapped in a seven-day approach for Wisbech Town defensive colossus Paul Cousins.

Rayment is also considering whether or not to recall midfield man Andy Toyne from a loan spell at league rivals and neighbours Holbeach United.

Tags: News | Spalding United

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