Athlone Town consider potential UK imports in trials

Athlone Town manager Martin Russell has allayed concerns among supporters over a lack of signings ahead of the new season kicking off next month.

Goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann, Derek Daly, Glen McAuley and Shane Barnes have re-signed for the 2022 season, but otherwise Athlone have not been active in the transfer market.

“I’m glad those lads are staying on board and now it’s about trying to bring in the type of players to help us to be as competitive as we can,” Russell told the Westmeath Independent.

“We have had some players training with us, and I expect the club will be able to confirm a number of signings over the next seven says,” continued Russell, when speaking yesterday (Tuesday).

Russell confirmed that a number of players from the UK have been taking part in trials with the club.

“In the League of Ireland every player is out of contract at the end of a season and there are pros and cons to that system. It gives clubs the chance to bring in fresh bodies and players are also free to go if they want a new challenge.

“But there can be a sort of merry-go-round with players moving from club to club. So we’re trying to think outside the box to see if we can do something different to try and bring in a bit of quality,” said Russell.

“It’s a process and it’s not always a straightforward process as you have to see if these players really want to come to Ireland,” he added.

Athlone Town will begin their 2022 SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign with a home game against Waterford on Friday, February 18.

“Waterford are probably favourites for the First Division in many people’s eyes because of the money they have spent and the fact that they have come down from the Premier Division. They have retained a lot of their overseas players. But from our point of view, it’s a good game to start with - it’s at home and a chance to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the division,” said Russell.