Paddy Davitt King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs is backing new teenage keeper Daniel Whatsize to grab the number one shirt at The Walks. The 18-year-old former Chesterfield trainee was one of Heggs' first signings and the Linnets' chief is challenging the youngster to make his mark at Unibond Premier level.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs is backing new teenage keeper Daniel Whatsize to grab the number one shirt at The Walks.

The 18-year-old former Chesterfield trainee was one of Heggs' first signings and the Linnets' chief is challenging the youngster to make his mark at Unibond Premier level.

First choice stopper Scott Howie has joined Ridgeons League Wroxham while back-up Rob Murray will not return to the club.

Conference North Corby Town have also recruited Lynn's England schoolboy U18 keeper Steven Norris - but Heggs is ready to put his faith in youth.

“I watched him play for Worksop and he is a decent keeper,” said Heggs. “The fans know the situation here with the budget and we can't go out and pay big money for players but I will look at Daniel pre-season and see how he goes. If he does alright, he'll be the number one. If he doesn't then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and maybe have to call in a few favours at lads I know who work with professional clubs.”

Heggs is '85pc' certain of landing an experienced ex-Football League centre back who will also be the new club captain.

“The centre half I've got in mind is a leader,” said Heggs. “He'd be a great signing. If any team comes down to King's Lynn and thinks they can take liberties they'll soon know that is not the case within the first few minutes of the game. He's got a great temperament, he's a solid citizen and he's a winner. He has three other offers on the table but I told him what else has he to achieve at his current level? We can't offer him good money so I want him to come here and help me build something at a big non-league club.”

Heggs has moved to The Walks on a non-contract basis but insists he is building for the long term.

“What is the worst thing that can happen to me? The sack. Well, so what,” he said. “I've come into King's Lynn like I went into Redditch - to build a future. I left Redditch in a wonderful position and when I leave here they'll be in a better position then when I found them. I'm not about building a team that will be top in October. I want King's Lynn to be capable of winning the Unibond Premier and the Conference North - whereas 99pc of managers come to do well short term and then shoot off somewhere else.

“I know it's easy to talk the talk but the hardest thing to do is build a team. The easiest is to win matches and the only thing that counts is three points, not making friends. Once I get my team organised if we lose then it will be to a very good side. It certainly won't be because we haven't given our all.”

t Central defender Greg Crane is the latest member of Keith Webb's squad from last season to confirm his departure after re-joining Ryman League new boys Lowestoft.

The ex-Norwich academy defender helped Lowestoft win the Ridgeons Premier title in 2006 before becoming a part of Lynn's Southern Premier title-winning squad in 2008.