Newark Town manager Luke Parsons says battle to sign players gets more difficult each summer as big offers are put to players
Newark Town manager Luke Parsons believes the process of signing players gets tougher every year.
Parsons has been working hard to strengthen his squad as the Blues bid to build on a seventh-placed finish in United Counties League Premier Division North.
They announced a major coup last week with the arrival of former Ipswich, Watford and England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach.
But it’s a challenging market out there as clubs fight over the same players with some big-money offers put on the table.
Newark won’t be getting involved in any bidding wars, so it’s a case of players wanting to join them for the right reasons.
“It’s a tough time for managers these days,” said Parsons.
“A couple of years ago, you’d speak to a player and you’re probably one of only two or three managers talking to them.
“Now it seems like you talk to a player and he’s got about nine offers already, and then it’s which offer is the best for that player.
“You’ve got to target the right personalities as well.
“If it’s all money-orientated we’re obviously going to lose out. If it’s about coming down and getting a smile on your face and loving the environment, Newark Town’s a great fit.
“It’s getting more difficult year on year for managers, especially with the money that’s in non-league football, to get a squad done.
“Having people’s word on it, saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll sign’, lads will sign for you, but then someone hears about it and offers them an extra tenner and they’re gone.
“We’re not going to be competing with teams who can offer £150 and £200 for players.
“We’re doing things differently and hopefully we can build on the progress of last year and put a really good strong squad out there by improving the spine and trying to get in those play-offs.”
Parsons is confident he’s kept the majority of his squad together as Newark count down to pre-season training which starts on June 17.
There’s been plenty of interest from other clubs - no surprise given the Blues’ impressive first year at Step 5 - but the players are staying put.
“We’ve pretty much kept the majority of the squad,” said Parsons.
“A lot of teams have come in for our players but we’ve got their word that they’re staying.
“We don’t want to make any more announcements until July - that’s when the league forms come out.
“We should be in a really good position for next season as long as there are no hiccups and guys going back on their word.
“I’ve built a culture where I’ve got a lot of loyal lads who’ve been offered a lot more money elsewhere but they want to play for Newark Town the club, not just me.
“If you look at year on year, the last four years we’ve improved.
“We’ve gone from Step 7 to pretty much making the play-offs at Step 5, so we’ve improved and there’s a great atmosphere around it.
“Players, fans and volunteers are all as one and that’s obviously our selling point.
“We knew there would be interest in our players.
“Because we’ve done well, teams have always come in for our players and some of them have had big offers.
“But when you target the right personalities, there’s lads out there still that are more bothered about enjoying their football and having a smile on their face than picking up the highest pay packet they can, and I’m blessed to have a few of those.”
Newark will train three times a week for the first two weeks of pre-season before embarking on seven friendlies.
The new league season is set to start at the end of July.
