King's Lynn Town launch a fresh Wroxham raid

King's Lynn Town's joint bosses believe latest Wroxham recruits Martin McNeil and Danny White can help clinch United Counties League promotion at the first attempt.

Linnets' old boy McNeil and White have signed non contract forms at the end of a hectic week which also saw the arrival of FA Vase team mate Steve Spriggs. Central defender McNeil returns for his third stint at his hometown club whilst 26-year-old midfielder White wants a fresh challenge after four years at Trafford Park.

Lynn chiefs Kevin Boon and Gary Setchell are confident the club's double capture is further evidence the new Linnets mean business ahead of their non league bow.

'For us we want to have that strong spine through the side and with Jack (Defty) at one end and Martin at the other that is coming together,' said Boon. 'Martin has all the qualities we are looking for. He'll put his head in anywhere to try and win that ball even if he is likely to get a bang or a cut. He is a strong boy and he has the pedigree behind him to do just as well here.

'I really like Danny and I am excited by that signing. Myself and Setch went and watched him two or three times and his work rate is no different from the first minute to the last. He can put a tackle in and although he is 5ft 8 he can win a ball in the air as well and his vision is superb. He is one of these players who, by his own admission, would agree he could have gone higher. I believe he could play two levels higher but he stayed loyal to Wroxham.'

Setchell believes McNeil's experience can be vital.

'Martin is a proven performer at this level,' said Setchell. 'If you look at his CV over the last four or five years since he left King's Lynn he was won a championship with Soham, won a championship with Lowestoft and reached an FA Vase final. His pedigree at this level of football is second to none and with bringing in a lot of young lads his experience could be vital alongside the likes of Jack. He is another local lad and similar to perhaps Spriggsy, wants to prove a point to a few people in the sense he probably feels he hasn't done himself justice at this club when he was here before.'

McNeil worked under both Tony Spearing and Tommy Taylor during two previous stints at The Walks.

'It's probably been quite frustrating for him to have to go away and now he has the chance to be here for two or three years and stamp his authority on the club,' said Setchell. 'He has had two spells here before so he knows all about this place. The first time was when he dropped out of the professional game and like a lot of youngsters they become disillusioned. Then Tommy Taylor brought him back and he did well when he played but maybe didn't get a fair crack of the whip.

'Hopefully he'll get another championship medal with us. I think if you talk to anyone at Wroxham last year they would say he was a big player for them and he is a leader at the back, but so is Brady (Stone).'

Setchell revealed the club's hierarchy has earmarked White for a central midfield role although the all action midfielder operated wide during Wroxham's successful FA Vase run last season.

'Danny is a grafter. That is the first thing,' said Setchell. 'He will give you 110% but we have done our research and anyone who knows him says he is the first name on the team sheet. He ticks every box to be a good central midfield player and with the other midfielders we have now we have plenty of pace, plenty of energy and work rate which is going to be crucial in the UCL. He sees himself as a central midfield player and we see him like that at first although he can operate out wide and if you ask him to do a job anywhere on the pitch he would.'

Read Friday's EDP to hear from the Linnets' latest signings.