Sileby Rangers boss Glenn Botterill labelled Michael Byrne ‘the best goalscorer in the UCL’ after snapping up the striker from Desborough.
Byrne was part of Botterill’s UCL Premier Division-winning Long Buckby last season, and the pair have now been reunited at Fernie Fields.
The frontman rejected rival offers from the likes of St Ives and Spalding to drop down to UCL Division One, to Botterill’s obvious delight.
“He’s the best goalscorer in the UCL, no doubt,” said Botterill, who has also brought in defenders Dan Spaughton and Dan Chilton from Wellingborough Whitworths and Cogenhoe respectively.
“This is a major signing for us and I’m really pleased.
“We just needed to pep up our front line because we’ve still got a lot of games to play.
“The squad needed a shake-up and this will give everyone a lift.”
Byrne, Spaughton and Chilton could make their debuts when division one table-toppers Sileby travel to second-placed Oadby Town this weekend.
LONG BUCKBY
Two coaches leave as Goodwin calls for complete commitment
Long Buckby boss Scott Goodwin says he needs coaches who are 100 per cent committed - after dispensing of the services of his two assistants.
Dave Williams and Joe Smyth have left the club as Goodwin seeks to freshen up the Station Road management team.
He has already moved to make Mike Houghton player-assistant, with the striker having shown his dedication to the cause this season.
And Goodwin now wants everyone to pull together to help Buckby improve their current UCL Premier Division position of 14th.
“There are going to be 101 rumours going around that there’s been an argument but there hasn’t,” said Goodwin.
“I need people who are 100 per cent committed to the club and they have to be here every Tuesday and Thursday (for training).
“If they’re not, it’s only a matter of time before players turn round and say, ‘if the management don’t turn up, why should we?’.
“Though they’re two good blokes, it’s time for everyone to pull together to get us up the table.”
FIXTURES
Saturday, February 2
NFA Junior Cup, Semi-finals: Cogenhoe Res v Brixworth, Rushden & Higham v Rothwell Corinthians.
Knockout Cup, first round: Harborough v AFC Kempston.
Premier Division: Blackstones v Desborough, Boston Town v Irchester, Deeping v St Ives, Holbeach v Cogenhoe, Huntingdon v Long Buckby, Newport Pagnell v Spalding, Sleaford v Quorn, Stewarts & Lloyds v Wellingborough Town, Yaxley v Shepshed Dynamo.
Division One: AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Wootton Blue Cross, Bourne v Bugbrooke, Eynesbury v Harrowby, Spencer v Thrapston, Oadby v Sileby, ON Chenecks v Buckingham, Raunds v Burton Park Wanderers, Whitworth v Olney.
Reserve Supplementary Cup, group two: Thrapston v Rushden & Higham.
Reserve Division One: AFC Kempston v Blackstones, Bugbrooke v Whitworth, Desborough v Stewarts & Lloyds, Peterborough Northern Star v Woodford United.
Reserve Division Two: Burton Park Wanderers v Bourne, Irchester v Eynesbury, Olney v ON Chenecks, Rothwell Corinthians v Yaxley.
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