MATCH PREVIEW: Loan signings boost depleted squad

Reds will play their last game of the year on Saturday when they make their way to Humberside for a first ever meeting against Cleethorpes Town.

And the journey to north east Lincolnshire will be the longest of the season with a round trip of 414 miles.

Not since the early weeks of the 1971-72 campaign have Reds played in the ‘parish of Cleethorpes’ when they obtained a point in a 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town.  They would certainly settle for a similar result in Saturday’s re-scheduled NPL Premier Division clash.

The fixture, originally planned for Boxing Day, has been put back twenty-four hours, an arrangement which suits both clubs.

Manager Billy Barr has added two loan signings this week which is a timely piece of

business considering the unavailability list he has been pondering.

Charlie Barnes starts a four-game suspension, following his second red card of the season, after the club were unsuccessful in an appeal against his first half dismissal against Stockton Town.  And injuries and unavailability through work commitments, has left the manager with a threadbare squad.

Ne Jai Tucker, the Bermudan born midfielder, has joined the club on loan from National North outfit, Southport, while former skipper, Brad Carroll – who also operates in midfield – returns for a second spell from Bury.

Ne-Jai Tucker

Tucker will be here until the end of January whilst Carrol’s deal will be to the end of the season. 

The Bermudan international spent time in the Academies at Manchester City and Burnley and also played in his home land before linking up with the Haig Avenue outfit last summer.

Carroll originally joined Reds in late 2018 and spent four seasons with the club under various managers, making 85 starts (plus a further 13 outings on the bench), scoring eighteen goals in the process.  He did score a nine-minute hat-trick in a 6-0 win at Kendal Town and skippered the team twenty-six times.

Brad Carroll

After starting his career with Manchester United, he established himself in non-league football spending time with Barrow, Kendal Town, Lancaster City, Reds and Clitheroe, before the move to Bury.

Cleethorpes Town are playing at their highest level in their relatively short existence – formed just twenty-seven years ago – after winning the NPL East Division in style last term.  It was the latest in a trophy-laden existence which has produced cups and titles on a regular basis, not forgetting a trip to Wembley eight years ago for the FA Vase final.

Craig Rouse has guided the team to seven wins and six draws in the first half of the league programme, although their away form has been slightly better than that produced at home, so far.

Kick-off: 3pm

Venue: HPS Hire Stadium, The Linden Club, Grimsby

Postcode: DN32 8QL

Mileage: 207 miles

Admission: Adult - £12, Concession - £8, U16 - £4,