Blue Square Bet South club Braintree Town have signed five players from Ryman League Premier Division side Aveley, with two Conference players in talks set for later this weEK.
The five new boys are centre back Michael Alaile, right-back Ryan Doyle, left-back Sam Holloway, midfielder Nicky Symons and striker Martin Tuohy.
New Iron and former Aveley manager Rod Stringer explained that he felt each player had more than enough ability to step up and do well at the higher level "Michael Alaile started his career at Dagenham & Redbridge and is a very mobile central defender. John Still spoke very highly of Michael as a youngster and, still only 21, he is a very strong lad who can also play at right back.
“Ryan Doyle was my captain last season at Aveley and is a 6'2" right-back. At 23 years of age, he can also play in a central defensive role and has a great presence.
“Sam Holloway played Conference South with Redbridge when he was just an 18-year-old. At 6'1" and pacey with it, he has a great delivery and is still only 22.
“Nicky Symons is a strong midfielder who is very competitive, but with more than enough ability to play when coming forward. At 25 years of age, he can also drop in at right-back and was the fans player of the year at Aveley last season.
“Finally, 26-year-old Martin Tuohy scored twenty-eight goals for me last season which helped Aveley to finish in the top three - the year before he scored fifty-one!
“A natural goalscorer and I know that he is looking forward to continuing that in the Conference South! He has this knack of getting in the right areas at the right time - a predatory finisher.
“All these lads are hungry and really looking forward to coming to Braintree. I'm also talking to another centre half who was with a Conference South side last season and another midfield player that was playing in the Conference Premier. I hope to have negotiations with both these players concluded by the weekend."
