Diss Town manager Garth Good hopeful of announcing new signings next week

Diss Town manager Garth Good is ‘hopeful’ that the club will be able to announce some new signings next week.

While the Tangerines have confirmed that a number of last season’s squad has been retained, as yet there has been no news this summer on any fresh additions at Brewers Green Lane.

However, with his side set to start the new Thurlow Nunn League First Division North season on July 26 at home against FC Clacton, Good is expecting to have some updates in the near future.

He said: “We should have some announcements very soon. One thing I’m keen on is seeing new players in games. A player can look good in training but then when you watch a match, maybe they’re not quite right or the system you play isn’t right for them.

“When they play in a match, it also gives the player a feel for what you’re about as well.

“We can’t compete financially with a lot of the teams around us so we have to show them our project and what we’re all about.

“We’ve had some exciting new players with us this summer and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to start making some announcements next week.”

But while Good is eager to bolster his ranks, he is also determined to ensure that the pathway remains open for the younger members of the group.

He added: “It’s a fine balance. We’re probably looking to bring two or three new signings in, but one of the objectives when I came in was to ensure the players in the youth set-up had a route into the first team.

“Back then we had a first team that didn’t have a single player who had played for the Under-18s.

“The lifeblood of any club is often determined on the players you produce and we’ve been working really hard to make sure the youngsters get a chance if they’re showing positive signs in training.

“And if you don’t give them the opportunities, there will be other clubs telling them they’ll get a chance and you’ll lose them.

“Yes we want to strengthen the squad and you always need to be looking to do that, but we also don’t want to block the young players.”

After last weekend’s 2-1 win over Haverhill Rovers, Good’s side will return to pre-season friendly action tonight at home against Mulbarton Wanderers (7.45pm).

The Norfolk side have not finished lower than 10th since being promoted to Step 5 in 2021, and Good believes that it will be useful exercise for his players.

“It’s going to be a real challenge against an excellent Mulbarton side,” said Good. “But it’s something that we can meet head on and go into it with a positive mindset.

“It will give the players a true indication of what it takes to play at the level against players that have been there for a long time now.

“I purposely picked strong opposition for us this pre-season because it will show the boys the levels they need to get to.”

Diss will also be at home on Tuesday night when neighbouring Harleston Town are their visitors (7.30pm).