Six New Faces for Valley as Palmer Leads the Line

Joe Palmer is the latest addition to Rugby Town’s summer recruitment drive, as new boss Grant Joshua continues to shape his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The 22-year-old striker headlines a group of recent arrivals at Butlin Road with Curvin Sanderson-Ellis, Oliver West, Dilano Reid, Ben Newey, Marcus Bald and Adam Taylor also checking in over the past week.

Palmer had two excellent seasons with Lye Town under Joshua scoring 48 goals as they played their first season in the NPL Midlands after promotion from the Midland Football League Premier before moving to Coleshill Town last summer.

Manager Joshua couldn't hide his excitement at landing what he called his 'number one target': "I’d like to start by welcoming Palms to the football club.

"There are pivotal moments in every manager’s pre-season when it comes to recruitment and targets — and this is one of them.

"We’ve landed our number one target, someone we believe can fire us back to Step Four and help take the club where we believe it belongs."

The Valley boss said talks with the player had been ongoing for a number of weeks and credited both Palmer’s mentality and the club’s stature for getting the deal done.

"He loved coming to the ground — he got that immediate sense of being part of a big football club,” Joshua added.

"Joe was always going to hit a blip in his development at some point, and that came last season.

"I’ll hold my hands up and say the move he made last summer probably wasn’t right for him at the time. But this summer feels different — this move feels exactly right, both for Joe and for the club.”

"This is a passionate, driven, fan-backed club. And this summer, Joe looks like he’s got a real edge about him.

"He’s come back hungry, and everybody loves a goalscorer with something to prove. I can’t wait to see him pull on the shirt."

Joshua has been busy continuing to build his squad with another five new faces coming in:

30-year-old striker Curvin Sanderson-Ellis spent last season with Aylestone Park, Coventry United and Bedworth United after having a good season with Sporting Khalsa the season before.

Midfielder Oliver West, 25, previously worked under Joshua at Lye and last season played for Boldmere St Michaels while 26-year-old former Tamworth winger Dilano Reid has been with Khalsa for the last two seasons.

Two goalkeepers have also agreed to join - Ben Newey, 25, did have a brief spell with Valley in 2021 before spells with Lye and Coleshill Town while 19-year-old former Northampton Town academy stopper Marcus Bald spent his first full senior season with Newport Pagnell Town last campaign.

Adam Taylor is a 22-year-old former Coventry City youngster who has spent the last few seasons with Midland Football League Two sides Central Ajax and Littleton.

Meanwhile, although we have exercised the option of defender Dan Summerfield, he has decided to take some time away from football to concentrate on his career.