Truro City manager John Askey is still targeting up to four new signings as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of their historic first campaign in the National League.
The Tinners were promoted as National League South champions last season and begin their fifth-tier adventure away to Wealdstone on 9 August.
Askey Keen to Add Experience Before Season Starts
Askey, who masterminded Truro’s promotion in his first season in charge, has already brought in several fresh faces this summer. New arrivals include midfielder Harry Kite from Exeter City, Lirak Hasani from Gateshead, and defender Max Kinsey. Meanwhile, striker Luke Jephcott has returned on a permanent deal following a loan spell last season.
Despite that business, the manager insists there is more work to be done.
“We still need another goalkeeper along with Lavs (Dan Lavercombe), we need another centre-back, another centre-forward and probably a couple of lads who can play in different positions,” Askey told BBC Sport.
Truro’s squad remains small, and with the demands of a full National League campaign ahead, the emphasis is on finding experienced players capable of stepping straight into the starting line-up.
Askey revealed that one new signing is imminent, with a player having completed a medical ahead of a potential deal. However, he also acknowledged the reality of recruitment at this level.
“At smaller clubs, you have to wait until you get towards the start of the season. You’ll pick up probably better players than what you would at the start of pre-season,” he said.
“Truro is not going to be players’ first choices, so we have to wait. Then when lads feel as though they’ve got something at an elite club and the contract gets taken away or they’re not taken on, hopefully we can step in and pick up one or two bargains.”
That pragmatic approach has served Askey well in the past. The former Macclesfield and York City boss has experience of building sides under tight financial constraints and is confident that Truro can be competitive despite their status as newcomers to the division.
Writer’s View
John Askey knows the level and he knows what it takes to build a squad on limited resources. Truro’s rise has been remarkable, but survival in the National League will require depth, adaptability and experience. The current squad is short in all three areas, and Askey is right to target reinforcements across the spine of the team.
The reality for a club like Truro is that late-window deals often yield the best value. If they can stay patient and make smart additions, they have a fighting chance of making this debut season a successful one.
