Newmarket Town boss Michael Shinn taking different approach to recruitment after Emmanuel Osei agreement

The addition of Emmanuel Osei has kickstarted what manager Michael Shinn plans to be a changed approach to summer recruitment at Newmarket Town.

Following their promotion to the Isthmian League North Division 12 months ago, Shinn largely opted to stick with the squad that guided the club to Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division play-off glory.

However, with the Jockeys having secured their Step 4 status via a nervy final day draw at Concord Rangers, Shinn now believes that an altered way of thinking is required.

Over the coming weeks he is keen to bring in players with plenty of experience of the level and potentially even higher, and in Osei, he has done just that.

The attacker has previously turned out for the likes of Waltham Abbey, Leiston, East Thurrock United, Cheshunt, Metropolitan Police, Stowmarket Town, Heybridge Swifts and most recently Ipswich Wanderers.

On the agreement to bring in Osei, who has also played for Mildenhall Town, Shinn said: “He’s got pace, he’s direct and he can score and create goals.

“He’s been at this level and the levels above for a long time – and he also has the experience of winning the play-offs.

“It’s a really good start to our signings this summer.”

And on his plans for further additions, Shinn added: “The reality of our situation is that we want to be competitive at the level.

“We stayed up last year, which was great, but now we need players with plenty of experience at the level.

“That sort of experience will help us to kill games off at one end of the pitch or help us to hold on to a result if we’re up against it.

“It’s important that we improve where we can, while also keeping hold of many of the players that have done a great job for us so far.

“Obviously we have to be careful financially and we can’t blow other teams out of the water. We’ll do it the only way we can, and that’s offering players the chance to play football at a good level."

While a number of the previous term’s squad have verbally agreed to remain at the Tristel Global Stadium, one player that recently confirmed his departure is captain Tom Williams.

Shinn was keen to retain the centre-back, but his desire to find regular match action elsewhere won through.

Shinn said: “I spoke to Tom and told him I wanted him to stay, but it was going to be more of the same for him in terms of minutes.

“I know he didn’t play as much as he wanted to last season, but when we needed him he was brilliant.

“Whether he started or came off the bench he did great and his attitude was first class, even if he was not in the team. I wish him nothing but the best and he’ll always be the captain that got us promoted.”