Negating the loss of key midfielder Finlay Byrnes and striker Dan Gayner, Shortwood United have been boosted by the news that stalwart captain Joe Tryner and goalkeeper Joe Wright have agreed to remain at Meadowbank.
Defender Tryner expressed his delight at signing on for his eighth season: “I’ve always felt at home at Shortwood. All the committee and everyone associated on numerous occasions have gone above and beyond making it a special place for me to play. The lads past and present always make it a great place also, there’s never been a season or time I haven’t enjoyed it.”
Despite the loss of Byrnes and Gayner to Stonehouse and Brimscombe respectively, Tryner is optimistic for the season ahead: “It’s obviously a shame to lose two big players in the same summer to close rivals, but we have a lot of strength throughout the squad to deal with it as well as a strong core that has been together for a few seasons. A few of the new lads who’ve been training look to be very good additions and will further help to strengthen what already is a strong squad.”
Wright bagged the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Management Player of the Year last season and is understood to have been courted by a number of clubs, but has opted to remain with Marcus Foxwell’s side, who finished seventh in Hellenic League Division One West last season.
Striker Alfie Bradshaw, defender Olly Whelan and midfielder Dom Kent have all returned to the Nailsworth club.
Shortwood players signed for first team: Joe Wright, Olly Whelan, Joe Tryner, Reuben Cunningham-Sturmey, Luke Davies, Benji Cronin, Ollie Price, Jamie Walker, Jack Gardner, Dom Kent, Jai Underwood, Joe Williams, Elliot Martin, Travis Cooke, Elliott King, Sam Franklin, Ethan Royer, Kameran Muhid
