Hill won't splash the cash
By Matt Pitman

Thursday 16th June 2005

THE Terras won't be breaking the bank to bring success to the Wessex Stadium, according to Garry Hill.

The Weymouth boss has already made five summer signings - and is lining up three more acquisitions.

But Hill insists his new recruits - Steve Tully, Arran Lee-Barrett, Andy Harris, Trevor Challis and Tony Taggart - will provide value for money.

He told Echosport: "One of the things I've been determined to do this summer is bring players into the football club who provide value for money.

"With all due respect to previous regimes at Weymouth, the days of us signing people on long, expensive contracts are gone.

"Any player I sign will be on the right terms for the football club and that's been the case with the new recruits so far this summer.

"We're not throwing money at people - the lure of full-time football is often all it takes to persuade players to join us.

"A large percentage of my signings have joined on one-year contracts because that offers the club a little bit of flexibility in the future.

"It means we can move players on if things don't work out without a large cost.

Competition

"At the same time, those contracts can also be re-negotiated this time next year if a player impresses."

Hill said he hopes to make up to three more signings before the start of the Conference South season in August, with two strikers on his shopping list.

And the manager also wants at least two players to be contesting every position.

"It's important to have competition in the squad," said Hill, "and that's what I'm trying to create this summer.

"Defensively, I think things are pretty settled now and we've assembled a nice mix of experience and youth.

"We've got two good goalkeepers, Trevor Challis and Tony Taggart competing for a left back spot and Steve Tully and Brad Thomas on the opposite side of the defence.

"Then we have people like Matt Bound, Roy O'Brien and Dave Waterman who are solid and experienced central defenders.

"My priority now is at the other end of the park - ideally I'd like four people competing for two spots.

"With Kirk Jackson and Chukki Eribenne strong and powerful

players, I'd like to try and bring in two nippy and lively strikers.

"If that happens, we'll have a dangerous and varied attack which I'd like to think will trouble defences next season."