KEVIN Wilkin is hoping that Nuneaton Towns other bright young talents will follow in the footsteps of James Armson and Eddie Nisevic in agreeing new deals at the club.
Midfielder Armson, 21, and full-back Nisevic, 20, are both products of Boro’s Community Club programme, and are set to sign one-year contracts at the Triton Showers Community Arena.
Wilkin is now hoping that the third member of the home-grown trio, Gaz Dean, also 21, will join them, along with 20-year-olds Robbie Burns and Adam Walker, formerly of Leicester City and Coventry City respectively.
He said: “We’re hopeful they’ll stay with us.
“The club has a lot to offer, and it’s not all about the financial aspect.
“We are trying to move the club on and make the whole experience here a good one.” On the new deals agreed with Nisevic and Armson, Wilkin added: “Eddie and James have worked hard at their game.
“They’ve been around two promotions, and only just missed out on a third, and I think they’ll have learnt a lot from last year.” Skipper Mark Noon has also agreed a new deal, leading by example amongst his team-mates, and Wilkin praised the 27-year-old’s committment on and off the pitch.
He said: “Mark has been a massive part of the club in his time here.
“He stuck with us when we came down, and you only have to look at our record when he wasn’t in the side to see he’s a key player for us.
“And he’s always putting his best foot forward off the pitch.” Wilkin is hoping to speak to the remainder of the squad by the end of this week, now that a large number of them are back from a team holiday in Magaluf.
The Boro boss said: “The lads have been away on a trip and one or two have got exams, so we’re just working through it at the moment.
“Sometimes we’ve got lads who are ready to commit, and some players want to wait and see what’s on the table at the moment.
“I’d expect to have spoken to all the lads by Friday.”
Wilkin also revealed he would chat to striker Iyseden Christie and midfielder Richard Lavery, who were brought in in April to try and halt the club’s slide.
Lavery, 33, was back for a third spell with the club, while Christie, 34, signed on loan from Kettering Town.
The pair initially looked like good acquisitions, but after a woeful defeat at home to struggling Gainsborough, Wilkin went back to the players he knew and trusted.
However, he said: “We will speak to them and see how they are.
“It will be good to catch up.”
ATHERSTONE Town are hosting a five-a-side tournament on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30, with all monies raised will be used to refurb the new Adders Sport Bar.
To register your team please email atfccommercial@aol.com.
