Trio of Attacking Signings as Mikey Returns

Rugby Town manager Carl Adams has boosted his attacking options with a trio of signings including the return of striker Mikey Taylor.

Taylor has agreed to a one-year deal while wingers Tayo Alexander-Tucker and Hilton Arthur, who both featured in the first pre-season game against Newport Pagnell on Saturday, have also joined the club.

36-year-old striker Mikey Taylor has penned a contract until May 2025 after helping the club preserve its NPL Midlands status.

Mikey originally signed for Rugby in March 2023 from Sutton Coldfield Town and his brief first stint delivered exactly what was asked for to help get the club over line to win promotion from the UCL Premier Division South with his goal against MK Irish proving to be the pivotal goal in earning promotion.

Taylor left the club at the end of the season and subsequently had spells with division rivals Spalding United and Southern League Premier Central side Alvechurch before rejoining.

After re-joining Mikey played a big part in the club's fight for survival.

The striker had a long non-league career and worked under Carl Adams during a successful spell at Stratford Town from 2016-18.

Just before his stint at Sutton in 2023, Taylor was with Stratford for a fourth spell and before that Southern League Premier Division Central rivals Bromsgrove Sporting where he scored 7 goals in 11 starts this season.

Hilton Arthur was Valley's goalscorer in the pre-season game against Newport Pagnell on Saturday.

The 23-year-old winger had a stellar season in the NPL Midlands with Corby Town in the 2022/23 campaign scoring nine goals as the Steelmen just missed out on a play-off place.

Ghanian-born Hilton played last season for Northampton Sileby Rangers helped them to promotion from the Spartan South Midlands League Division One and has also previously featured for Burton Park Wanderers.

19-year-old winger Tayo Alexander-Tucker featured for Anstey Nomads last season including scoring the winning goal at Butlin Road against Rugby in October.

The former Lincoln City youngster had a loan spell at Lincoln United and also featured for Ilkeston Town and Leicester Nirvana last season.

The trio of attacking options join fellow new forward Trey Charles who signed last week together with most of last season's squad that finished the season.