Hunt pondering Snape capture (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Hunt pondering Snape capture

12:03pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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STOURPORT Swifts manager Neil Hunt could be on the verge of signing vastly experienced midfield hard man John Snape, as the squad rebuilding stepped up a gear at Walshes Meadow.

Hunt is set for talks at the end of this week with the much-travelled veteran to decide whether he will join the club.

Snape has played with distinction for Hereford and Worcester, before helping Swifts’ Worcestershire rivals Bromsgrove win promotion to the BGB Southern League Premier Division in the 2006-2007 season.

He then left to become a player/coach at Midlands Alliance side Stratford Town.

“John phoned me up and seemed eager to come to us,” said Hunt.

“I think he would be an excellent addition, he’s played at a high level in non-league, is a born winner and is vastly experienced.

“Even if he is older we could put a young team round him and he’d provide great leadership.”

Hunt is also working hard to strengthen the squad before the start of the 2008-2009 season in the Division One Midlands.

The manager is set to have a large group when training starts on Saturday and could have a 40-man squad to whittle down if all the players he has spoken to attend.

Former Evesham United and Castle Vale hitman Shane Benjamin, ex-Bromsgrove and Worcester player James Smith, Mark Shepherd and Justin Ballinger are all set to be at training.

Hunt is also confident that Mark Benbow will join Swifts.

Benbow, who has spent eight seasons at Bromsgrove, has been invited to training and after more talks looks set to sign for the club.

Hunt said: “I am 90 per cent positive that Mark will be joining us.

“He’s the sort of addition we are looking for, experienced and able to play at a good level.

“At the moment I am asking a lot of players to come down to training so we can have a look at them.

“If it all goes smoothly I could end up with a squad of 40 but it’s never as simple as that.”

n Swifts have added a new game to their friendly programme, welcoming Blue Square North side Redditch United to Walshes Meadow on Saturday, July 19 (3pm kick-off).

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