TULIPS: Green follows Tolley out

BROKEN PARTNERSHIP: Francis Green (left) and Shane Tolley have left Spalding.

By ANDREW CLUCAS
Published on 08/11/2012 10:30

Francis Green has become the second big name striker to leave Spalding United in as many weeks after being axed by boss Pat Rayment.

The former Peterborough United hitman, who managed 12 goals in his four-month stint at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, follows Shane Tolley out of the exit door.

Although he was initially handed a contract with the Tulips, Green’s circumstances have changed and Rayment was able to release him. With Tolley being allowed to move to Histon, Spalding have lost 32 goals from the side in seven days.

Rayment said: “Francis started the season superbly, but in recent weeks we’ve failed to break down four struggling sides – and our attack has been to blame.”

The departure of two of the club’s biggest earners has freed up funds for new signings – and Rayment is hopeful of concluding deals for two free-scoring attackers next week.

A “lucrative offer” has been made to Coalville Town’s Ryan Robbins, who is the leading scorer in the Evo-Stik League First Division South, while Spalding can speak to the UCL Premier Division’s top marksman – St Ives Town’s Karl Gibbs – early next week.

Rayment has also signed veteran striker Tony Battersby from Grantham Town, while Corby Town left back Nathan Fox is expected to arrive on loan.

The Spalding boss insists he’s made the changes to save the club’s season. He added: “I felt I needed to act decisively to keep our season alive, we have ambitions to get promoted and I believe the changes will help us. If we can get Robbins and Gibbs, we’ll have a much better strikeforce than we did have. I refuse to stand still. We need a new outlook against teams that just want to defend against us.”

Spalding welcome struggling Harborough Town to the Sir Halley on Saturday (3pm).

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TULIPS: Green follows Tolley out

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