Boston United manager Paul Hurst reunited with Gavan Holohan as first signing
Boston United manager Paul Hurst has reunited with his former player Gavan Holohan, making his his first summer signing for his experience and goalscoring pedigree.
Holohan, 34, helped boss Hurst and Grimsby Town to promotion at the London Stadium in 2022, a year after helping Hartlepool United to promotion to the EFL as well.
Recently released by Hartlepool after a second spell there, Hurst swooped quickly to sign him on a one year deal and said: “His experience was one of the reasons we brough him in.
“I think last season we saw the benefit of experience as well as the negative at times when we didn't have experience, prior to coming in when Zak (Mills) wasn't in the team for instance.
“Biut I managed to secure Jamie Grimes' signature. That helped some of the younger players settle down with a word here and there on and off the pitch as well.
“There is still a hell of a lot of work to do. But in Lenell (John-Lewis) and Gav we have two experienced lads that I certainly trust in and around the place.
“So on the experience side alone I think it's a good signing and I know him well.”
He continued: “Gav has always been a pretty fit lad as well. He hasn't played as much as he would have liked to for a couple of reasons, but there is nothing really major with him in terms of a bad injury.
“Also, he gets goals from midfield which again is something we feel we could have improved on slightly.
“Goals are always hard to come by and I feel reasonable confident that in Gav we have added someone who will contribute in that area. So there are a lot of positives in the signing for me.”
Of last season's squad, Louis Chadwick, Frankie Maguire, Jordan Richards have all been offered new terms while talks are continuing with Jordan Cropper, Jacob Hazel, Jordy Hiwula.
“It is going slowly,” said Hurst.
“I think it is positive on one and kind of unknown on a couple of others.
“I am hoping we might have some news on one quite soon.”
Otherwise he said it was very early days yet to know who else may be joining the Pilgrims.
“I am on the phone quite a lot and looking at a lot of footage. There are a lot of conversations and lists compiled,” he said.
“But I have to remind myself that it is very early yet and the current season hasn't even finished yet.
“We won't be signing Declan Rice. But the Premier League is still running which has an impact in terms of their U21s.
“You have still got the play-off games and quite a lot of uncertainty at some clubs in terms of managerial roles. And there are a lot of players out there who don't really know their situations yet.
“So it is really early. I would love to say I have made 15 signings and my squad is all set to go.
“But the reality is that we will have to be patient and see how it pans out.”