Paddy Davitt King's Lynn Town have unveiled five fresh signings ahead of the club's non league return. Phillip Newton, Matthew Hales and Kieran Doherty agreed terms at The Walks over the weekend along with Jamie Allsop and Kyle Plumb.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn Town have unveiled five fresh signings ahead of the club's non league return.

Phillip Newton, Matthew Hales and Kieran Doherty agreed terms at The Walks over the weekend along with Jamie Allsop and Kyle Plumb.

Newton is a 20-year-old left back who has previously played for both reserve and youth teams at Portsmouth and Bournemouth and is now based in Holbeach. After playing a very small amount of competitive football over the past 12 months he is keen to get back out on the pitch again.

“It's true that I haven't played for a year,” he said. “But I had a training session with the team the other day and I felt really good, I can't wait to get started and am looking forward to all the challenges ahead.”

Kings Lynn's old boy Kieran Doherty is no stranger to The Walks after having played for the reserves just a few seasons ago. The versatile player suffered a nasty injury 18 months ago which resulted in a six month break from the game, however he made a return to action last season with the West Lynn team and enjoyed a successful spell.

“I was invited along to pre season training and after that was keen to accept the terms offered by the club,” he said. “There is a big following for the club in the town and expectations are high, but thankfully we have a very professional set up and I'm sure the club will gain promotion as quickly as possible.”

Matthew Hales will provide competition in the goal keeping department to Alex Street after local experience with Swaffham and Downham Town.

He said: “I am really pleased to be here and know how lucky I am to be joining such a big club. I have already had three good training sessions with the lads and loving everything about the team.”

Jamie Allsop played for Ely City last season at left back and is a versatile player who can also operate in a midfield position if required. He began his career as an academy player at both Ipswich Town and Cambridge United before being released. Joint boss Kevin Boon was impressed with Allsop last season.

“He is the stand out player of the season and is the type of the player that could really help us on a run in the FA Vase,” said Boon.

Towering defender Plumb is another local lad who played for Swaffham last season where he won the Pedlars' player-of-the-season award. Joint boss Gary Setchell is well aware of Plumb's potential.

“I have known Kyle for some time and I feel that he deserves this chance at his home town club,” said Setchell. “He is raw but willing to listen and learn and is another good signing. Our budget is nearly at full stretch and it's important that we stick to it, we have a good squad and these last few signings give us further options in defence and some back up on other parts of the pitch which should prove to be extremely useful.”

“Being a local lad I know all about the expectancy and what is happening here,” added Plumb. “Personally I'm impressed with the whole new regime and I'm sure that things will work out both on and off the pitch.”

Lynn Town's scheduled opening friendly at Ely this weekend has been cancelled with the ground being used for a musical concert but club officials are attempting to arrange another away fixture at short notice.

Early ticket sales for the first home game on Tuesday, July 13 against a Norwich City XI have been extremely encouraging with over 200 advanced orders taken just over the past weekend. Supporters who purchase a ticket for that game will be entitled to a free ticket for the following week's home friendly against Great Yarmouth.

Tickets can be purchased via the club's official site, kltown.co.uk and in person from the new ticket office at the ground on Saturday, July 10 (10am to 4pm) or prior to kick off on July 13 (from 6pm).