Two new signings just days before Conference start

By Matt Lawton
August 12 2004

Two new signings have walked in to Hilton Park for the first time with only a couple of days remaining until the start of the new Nationwide Conference season, when RMI face a home game with newcomers Crawley.

Former Bristol City striker Alex Meechan has joined the Railwaymen on a one year contract, despite interest from Conference rivals Barnet, where he impressed when on trial earlier in the summer.

The 24 year old has regularly featured on the scoresheet in the Conference during two spells with Forest Green Rovers and also a period at Dagenham & Redbridge, and will be looking to gain a first team striking spot in what should turn out to be some hot competition for the front two, with former Barnsley striker Karl Rose recently signing a deal, while Craig Mitchell has impressed since signing from Mansfield Town, and teenage striker Chris Simms has now signed a permanent deal after an impressive pre-season, which saw him score an excellent goal in the 1-0 friendly victory over Everton.

Also signing for RMI is former Bolton Wanderers defender Martin Moran, who will be looking to cement a spot in RMI's new-look defence, which looked solid at the start of pre-season but crumbled in the recent friendlies, conceding eleven goals in three friendlies against Manchester City, Newcastle Town and Lancaster City.

RMI will again go in to the season as favourites to be relegated, but that can prove to be a good thing in a way, with a degree of pressure off the shoulders of manager Phil Starbuck and his players, although RMI's loyal band of supporters will expect nothing less than 100% commitment from every player who pulls on the shirt this season.