Rugby
United boss Tony Dobon was
a busy man last week, as
he attempted to strengthen
his squad ahead of the Thursday
evening transfer deadline.
The
most significant deal done
saw the arrival of 21 year
old striker Avun Jephcott,
who joined the club from
Nuneaton Borough for the
remainder of the season.
Jephcott made an instant
impression during Saturday's impressive
victory at Histon, setting
up fellow striker Robbie
Beard for his first goal,
and also nearly registering
himself on the scoresheet
shortly before half-time.
He
joined Nuneaton at the start
of the 2004-05 campaign,
having been released
from his professional
contract at Coventry City
at the end of the previous
season. A series of
injuries, illness and a
falling out with Borough
boss Roger Ashby saw him
become surplus to requirements
at Manor Park, and Dobson
was happy to be able to
provide the young striker
with an opportunity to relaunch
his career. He said,
"I feel Avun could
do a job for us. We need
someone to finish off the
chances we keep creating
and I think he has
plenty to offer in that
area, as he has a good goalscoring
record."
Dobson
also confirmed the permanent
move of midfielder Jon Nichols
to the club from Team Bath
until the end of the season,
having previously been engaged
on a loan basis. Goalkeeper
Robert Beckwith will also
stay at Butlin Road for
the rest of the campaign,
after League One side Luton
Town agreed to extend his
loan spell.
Leaving
the club last week were
defender Nick Matthews and
midfielder Steve Evans -
both of whom have joined
Rugby's SLPD rivals Grantham
Town. Matthews had
only signed for the club
in February from Kings Lynn,
but was unable to break
through into Dobson's starting
line-up, and featured only
a couple of times as a substitute.
Evans joined the Valley
at the start of this season
from Hednesford Town, but
after an encouraging start,
his form dropped and he
was no longer a regular
feature in the team.
Dobson
thanked both players for
their contributions, but
added, "I couldn't
guarantee either of them
first team football unfortunately,
so we agreed that it was
best for them to move on."
Ironically United's final
home game of the season
sees Grantham as the visitors
on the 23rd of April,
which could therefore see
a very early return to Butlin
Road for both departees.
