Appleby: I’m off

WISBECH Town skipper Steve Appleby is quitting the club.

In a meeting with Fenmen co-manager Ian Jones this week, Appleby, 40, confirmed that he was leaving the club to join Boston Town.

Jones said: "It is disappointing but Steve wanted to play closer to home and knew that next season would have been a hard one for him.

"He has been absolutely straight with me and he has even offered to come back to help if we are struggling for players.

"He is the only player who has told me that he is leaving the club. I have contacted all the other players and confirmed what the club can offer them.

"They will all go away and think about it. There are so many rumours flying about at the moment but that's all they are - rumours.

"There are players with offers on the table from other clubs but all of the lads have told me that they will stay with the club or attend the players' meeting on July 2."

This meeting is sure to be a crucial one in deciding the future of many of the Wisbech players.

Jones said: "All we can do is wait but I expect the players to make a decision before we play any friendly matches."

The Wisbech management duo of Jones and Mel Mattless are continuing to talk to players outside the club, including March's Luke Pepper and Ely City's Andy Chatters.

Jones said: "Luke has a couple of other offers but he is interested in a move to Wisbech and Andy has expressed his interest in joining the club.

"There has been some negativity outside the club but I am very positive about things at Wisbech."

- MARCH Town United manager Brett Whaley is aiming to improve the fitness of his squad during the summer programme of friendly matches.

Whaley said: "I have been keen to organise a small number of friendlies that will test us rather than lots of meaningless matches.

"The squad's fitness levels are not where I want them to be and that is one thing that we need to work on during the summer.

"I have spoken to a lot of players about the injuries they sustained last year and a lot of it comes down to their overall fitness.

"I want to put that right so that we hit the ground running when the season starts."

Whaley has also revealed that he has signed a new goalkeeper. He said: "I have signed Richard Stainsby from Bourne and he has lots of ability.

"At 20 years old he still has a lot of experience to come but with Chris Anker unable to play for us on a regular basis because of university commitments, Richard is an important signing.

"Chris will still be available to us when he is free so we have two very good keepers.

"This week's training matches have given the existing squad opportunities to meet the new players and it has gone really well.

"We have an under-18s trial and I am keen to strengthen the reserve and youth teams at the club."

March will play at Littleport on July 14 before visits to Peterborough North Star on July 17, Hampton on July 21, and Chatteris on July 27.

The final friendly will be at the GER on July 31 when the Hares entertain St Ives.