Wings set to miss out on Hockton (From News Shopper)

Wings set to miss out on Hockton

1:00pm Thursday 25th June 2009 in Sport By Paul Green

WELLING United have conceded defeat in their bid to sign prolific striker Danny Hockton.

The Wings have been chasing the former Bromley striker all summer following his release by Braintree but player-coach Lee Protheroe revealed to News Shopper Hockton’s wage demands could not be met.

Chelmsford City are now strong favourites to land Hockton, although Protheroe is confident Welling still have enough fire power in their ranks to overcome the setback.

He said: “I don’t think we are going to be able to afford Danny Hockton on our budget.

“Danny has been away on holiday but I did speak to him late last week.

“A lot of clubs have been after him and it looks as if it is going to be between Chelmsford and St Albans.

“Danny is a prized asset because you know you are getting a striker who can get you 25 goals a season.

“It certainly isn’t a blow though because we have already signed Lee Clarke, James Lawson and Tony Finn.

“Loui Fazakerley has agreed to stay too, so Welling will have strong attacking options next season.”

Protheroe also believes missing out on Hockton could be the making of Lawson.

He explained: “In James Lawson we have signed someone who may not get as many goals as Danny but is a more versatile player.

“I played with him for a year at Chelmsford and know what he is capable of.

“James is 23 and has a real hunger about him.

“He has got pace and is over six foot, so he will give us a presence in the air.”

Meanwhile, 25-year-old centre half Ryan Frater will join the Wings on trial when the squad return to Park View Road for pre-season training next week.

Protheroe said: “We are looking to add a central defender and a holding midfielder.

“Ryan will be joining us on trial and we also have a lad from Erith & Belvedere joining us who Andy knows.

“We’ve already signed up a good number of experienced players, which is something we maybe lacked last year because I think it was a very young team with the exception of myself and Rob Quinn.

“Rob has joined Cray Wanderers but he is still going to be involved with Welling because he will be in charge of the PACE scheme we are setting up.”