Brakes’ squad has received a double boost ahead of this weekend’s National League North clash with Altrincham at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
An agreement has been reached with Solihull Moors for Jordan Murphy to remain with us until the end of the season. The speedy wideman made his debut in the 1-1 draw at Brackley Town on Boxing Day, and has since started six games, scoring his first goal for us in the 2-2 draw at Guiseley.
‘I am delighted to extend Jordan’s loan until the end of the season,’ said manager Paul Holleran. ‘He has made a really positive impact in the month he’s been here, and his versatility and pace have been a real asset to us. We have high hopes that he will keep improving, which I think he has done in the short time he has been at the club.’
Meanwhile, striker Mikey Taylor has signed for the club after agreeing to cancel his contract at Tamworth, who he joined late last month after a storming start to the season at our near neighbours Stratford Town, scoring 14 goals in 22 games.
On top of over 100 appearances and 38 goals for Stratford, the 30 year old numbers Worcester City and Solihull Moors among his former clubs. Holleran was excited to finally link up with a player who he first saw as a youngster in his days as Rushall Olympic boss.
‘Mikey has been on our radar for the last couple of years,’ he said. He’s somebody that first did a training session with me 12 years ago. As a young lad Richard Beale brought him to Rushall. He’s done really well, especially over the last few years where I think he’s really got to grips with the non league circuit. He’s always been a handful, his workrate has never been in question, but he’s started adding goals to his game. We were very close to getting him just before Christmas, we’d watched him a few times again but obviously Tamworth came in with a very good offer for him and he went there, but he’s found it difficult with the 4G surface there. He covers a lot of grass, and as the body gets older it makes it harder to recover. He’s had lots of offers but I think the chance to link up with our group and with Leamington Football Club is something that he wanted to do, so we’re delighted to get his signing over the line today because it’s been something that’s been on my mind for a few weeks now. Colby Bishop needs somebody to share the load with in terms of scoring goals and mix it up a little bit. I think Mikey’s power, pace and presence will be great for us over the coming weeks. I think the fans will love him.’
On the injury front, the manager said ‘Both Connor and Callum will be in early for fitness tests tomorrow, so we will hopefully have a better idea where they are at a couple of hours before kick off.’
Unfortunately the news regarding Kieran Dunbar is not so good. ‘Kieran has a slight fracture just below his knee, just above the shin, so he is going to have to go under the knife and have an operation.’ We wish Kieran all the best and hope to see him back on the pitch very soon.
