Aberystwyth Town manager Nev Powell has returned to former club Bangor City to strengthen his side with the signing of centre midfielder Damien Allen – but the Seasiders boss will again be forced into the transfer market after the departure of two key defenders.
Allen’s arrival will be seen as an encouraging addition to Powell’s squad but the Park Avenue club have confirmed their January transfer activity won’t end there after it was announced central defenders John McKenna and Jonny Spittle have both left the club.
Allen joins Aberystwyth after ending a seven-year long association with Bangor, where he established himself as a intelligent, ball-playing midfielder and made 13 (2) WPL appearances for the Citizens this term before undergoing surgery in December.
Allen began his career with Manchester United as a youngster, before featuring for Stockport County where he made 57 Football League appearances. He was then farmed out to Belgium side Royal Antwerp before joining Morecambe in August 2007. Further moves to Halifax, Bury and Colwyn Bay followed before signing for Bangor City in November 2011.
Central defender John McKenna is to cut his ties in the Welsh Premier League and is relocating to New Zealand after joining Aberystwyth this summer. His central defence partner Jonny Spittle has also dealt the club a blow this week after rejecting an extension to his current contract which expires this week.
Spittle, who rediscovered his form at Aberystwyth and was made captain after a suffering a poor season at relegated Airbus last season, tweeted his thanks to the club:
Thankyou to everyone Nev, players, staff, the board and directors, volunteers behind the scenes and the fans I really enjoyed my time at @AberystwythTown great club and great people wish you all the best for the future and remainder of the season ⚽️👏🏻
— Jonny Spittle (@jonny_spittle) January 17, 2018
In a statement confirming the departures, the club reassured supporters that they are in active negotiations with a number of replacements and that their defence will be strengthened before the end of January.
The Seasiders now have a brief break in games before returning to action in their Welsh Cup fourth round tie with Cardiff Met on January 27th. The begin their Play-Off Conference campaign a week later against Barry Town (away).
WPL TRANSFER WIRE
John McKenna, Aberystwyth Town > released … Jonny Spittle, Aberystwyth Town > out of contract … Damien Allen, Bangor City > Aberystwyth Town … Adam Walters Aberystwyth University > Aberystwyth Town … Rob Pearson, Australia > Bala Town … Tyler Brock, Carmarthen Town > Skewen Athletic … Matthew Thomas, Carmarthen Town > Risca United … Kyle Williams, Carmarthen Town > Taffs Well … Matthew Hall, Carmarthen Town > Ton Pentre … James Murphy, Newtown > released …