Caine, Josh & Harrison Commit as Preparations Step Up

Rugby Town face their first warm-up game next Tuesday at Stratford, as Grant Joshua and his management team finalise their squad ahead of its competitive kick-off in a month.

Joshua's options were boosted this week with news that fans' favourites Caine Elliott and Josh Thomas have now decided to stay, with both signing new one-year contracts.

Harrison Nee also ended a summer of uncertainty by doing the same, and the new Valley boss was delighted to confirm the deals. He said: "It's great to have all three on board and have the opportunity to work with them.

"At their ages and with their abilities, it's obvious that they want to play as a high a level as they can, and they had offers to do so.

"Our reprieve has changed the landscape though, and they've all shown a strong desire to be a part of what the club are building towards."

Thomas and Elliott have featured in more than 270 games between them over the past six years - scooping numerous player of the season awards in the process.

Joshua continued: "Caine's someone that I've always wanted to work with and he should flourish this season in a more dynamic set-up.

"Josh gives us physicality and pace in defence to complement what we already have and he's a real leader for someone so young."

Nee had looked to set to end his fifteen-month spell at Butlin Road, but the ex-Coventry City academy prospect now returns for the 2025/26 NPL Midlands campaign. Joshua added:

"Harrison's electric in wide areas and he's full of potential. We've already identified how we can get even more from him and are working on this in pre-season."

Prior to the trio of contract signings, Town had already announced commitments from ex-Lichfield midfielder Callum Griffin, ex-Darlaston striker Rivel Mardenborough and ex-Rushden winger Cairo Taylor.

The tally of potential new arrivals was then increased to twenty after winger Adam Hanson and defender Jack Bostock both impressed in the early training sessions - meaning Joshua faces the tough task of trimming down his current 25-man squad to more manageable levels ahead of the season's opener in the FA Cup on Saturday 2nd August.

Joshua concluded: "I'd always said that I wanted to start pre-season with a minimum of twenty and then take it from there - which we achieved.

"Unless something extraordinary comes up now, our business is concluded and we'll be working hard to fine tune what we have."