David Hockaday, manager of Blue Square Bet Premier club Forest Green Rovers, has boosted his squad with no less than SIX extra signings.
And he is currently talking to a central defender who has undoubted experience with almost 180 appearances in both Leagues One and Two.
Hockaday has been restricted in his playing budget, especially with the well published financial problems Forest Green have been managing, yet thanks to the generous donations from the supporters and a small investment into the playing budget at this stage by Dale Vince of Ecotricity, the manager has been busy looking at various players.
The supporters` donations have been through the GRASS scheme, (Give Regularly Assist Squad Sponsorship), which last season added a few loan players to the team but is going from strength to strength with not just donations but monthly contributions.
The six players are striker James Norwood, goalkeeper Zak Jones, midfielders James Baldwin, Jonathan Else and Ollie Cleaver and forward Yan Klukowski.
Norwood (pictured) joins Rovers just short of his 20th birthday on a month`s loan from Exeter City and is already a very experienced player.
Born in Eastbourne he played for both Brighton and Crystal Palace youth teams as well as being picked for the England Schools team.
He came to the attention of Exeter after scoring regularly for Eastbourne Town and has played four times for the Grecians, including an appearance at Leeds United, replacing Marcus Stewart in the attack.
Jones is the brother of current Forest Green player Luke, who joined this season. He is 21 and had loan spells at Stockport County and Southampton in the League during his tenure at Premiership Blackburn Rovers.
An England Youth international, he has impressed during training and trials this pre-season.
Baldwin is a product of Hartpury College and has been a regular in Forest Green reserves. Now 21, his first-team appearances were limited last season and gained experience at both Shortwood United and Gloucester City.
Else is also 21 and is another good player from Hartpury College who has stepped up this season with some impressive work during pre-season.
He made cameo appearances last season in the first-team before injury put him out. Again a regular reserve player, he is certainly one for the future.
Cleaver, who can play in midfield or defence, had a very good pre-season trial with Rovers, including scoring against Frome Town.
He was with Luton Town youth and also played for Cheshunt in the Ryman League Division One North.
Hockaday was especially impressed with the youngster`s work ethic.
Klukowski is a Chippenham-born 23-year-old who started his playing career at Bath City, whilst also earning England Schoolboy caps.
Although interest was shown by Bristol Rovers, he instead took up a scholarship in America with Central Connecticut State University.
After several sporting awards during his university days he turned professional and joined Western Mass Pioneers in the USL Second Division.
Back home again, he has already scored three goals for Rovers in pre-season matches.
