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Latest report from Danny Hall at the Wilts and Glos Standard
CHARLIE GRIFFIN is hoping to sign a player who has twice engineered a defeat for his Cirencester Town side at the Corinium Stadium.
Brazilian-born Felipe Barcelos scored two goals in Banbury's 6-1 demolition of 10-man Ciren in the FA Cup last September.
Even more eye-catchingly he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 defeat by Oxford City in August 2011, an astonishing 45-yard free kick from the touchline.
"Felipe has moved to the area and has joined us for pre-season training," said Town manager Griffin. "He will play in our first warm-up game at Bradford-on-Avon on Saturday. He's played at a higher standard, has a lovely touch and good mobility, and can play in a number of positions, though I would like to see him playing behind our front two.
"He's a big player if we can get a deal done. I don't think this club has had someone with his flair for years. He's one to excite the fans."
Another player training with Griffin's squad is 18-year-old Jordan Morris who signed his first pro contract with Forest Green Rovers on Monday.
"Jordan is someone we wanted to bring in when I took over last season," said Griffin.
"He is an out-and-out left winger, again something we have not had at the club for a while. He too will line up for us on Saturday and I am hoping we can get him on loan until January."
Griffin, who turned 38 recently, has just started his 23rd pre-season, having been a pro since the age of 16. And he will continue to register as a player for Cirencester.
"I don't intend to play but I am there as a precaution in case of injuries or to rest players in cup games," he said.
Most of last year's squad including veteran centre back Matt Coupe are back in training and Griffin has made four close season signings. Bishops Cleeve trio Jordan Stoddart (centre half), Jack Watts (winger) and Matt Wieczorek (keeper) have all joined along with ex-Didcot Town striker Ben Whitehead.
"I can see 'Stodds' forming a very good partnership with Coupey, who is running around like a 20-year-old," said Griffin. "In truth, I am happy with what I have got now but if I can add some more quality with Felipe, Jordan and maybe one of two others, all the better. The fitness levels I saw at our first training session was excellent. The lads obviously looked after themselves over the summer break."
Mason Lewis, a tall left back who played for Lydney and Gloucester City; Darnell Sinclair, cousin of Scottish Player of the Year 2017, Scott Sinclair (Celtic); former Bishops Cleeve midfielder Jack Horrell and Louis Loader formerly of Malvern Town are others pitching for a place in Griffin's squad as they face up to life in the Southern League Div One South & West.
Work on the new 3G pitch at the Corinium fell eight days behind schedule due to the rains of early June but the work force are now making up for lost time.
Cirencester Town chairman Steve Abbley did apply to the Southern League to have his side's first two league matches played away from home as a precaution because of the delays, but the league committee would only grant him only a one-game amnesty.
So when the fixtures are announced next Thursday, the opening home match on the 3G pitch will be played on Tuesday, August 15.
This entry was posted on 07 July 2017 at 11:36 and is filed under Miscellaneous | First Team. You can leave a response here.
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