Former Buckland Athletic duo return to Homers Heath

BUCKLAND Athletic announced a double signing today (October 13) with both players having previously plied their trade at Homers Heath.

The Yellow Army have already been reintroduced to combative midfielder Frankie Jones as he made his second debut for the club in the FA Vase victory over Hamworthy Recreation.

Jones played during Dan Hart’s time in charge and is known for his robust approach to the game in the middle of the park.

Alongside the social media posts, manager Matt Cusack had this to say about his new addition.

“Frankie isn’t a player I actually know much about, but already, I do know he will prove an excellent addition to the changing room.

“He was a popular figure during his prior spell with the club. He will be someone to get in the trenches for us, be physically strong and important during a busy spell of games ahead.”

One criticism that could be levelled against the Buckland side which we saw last season was that they were lacking some grit so Jones, as well as summer arrival Baga Mariko, go a long way to rectifying that pitfall.

Another individual who the supporters are already familiar with is Ryan Smith.

Again, he worked alongside Hart and whilst he is still young, Smith has certainly come on leaps and bounds in his time away.

Under Ben Washam and Brad Gargett last season he was a key cog in a very impressive attacking cohort, scoring five times in 36 appearances for Ivybridge Town (as per the Western League website).

The Ivies’ loss was Tavistock AFC’s gain and he went up another notch playing in red and black.

He was enjoying a rich vein of form at Langsford Park this year prior to the untimely departure of manager Steve Tully.

Smith was on target for Tavistock as they won away at Bovey Tracey AFC in one of Tully’s last games before scoring the first goal of the Connor Marshall era, the equaliser in their 2-1 victory at Buckland last month.

On Smith, Cusack commented: “Ryan has started the season brilliantly with Tavistock, scoring five times already this campaign.

“He will add quality and depth to our attacking options and is a player I’ve worked with before and know well.

“Ryan possesses the temperament we need to help drive our club forward.”

It seems safe to say that Smith has been brought in to fill the void left behind by Sammy Stayt.

Stayt was the standout player thus far for Buckland so him leaving for Western League high-flyers Bridgwater United was a significant blow, especially given that it coincided with the injury to Ryan Bush.

Speaking to The Mid-Devon Advertiser about losing Stayt, after the Hamworthy win, Cusack said:

“[We’re] disappointed that Sammy chose to leave. He felt that he needed to move on and I guess time will tell whether that’s the right move for him.

“We thank Sammy for what he’s given us here but ultimately, no player is bigger than the club and that’s the same for any player. Now we’ve got an opportunity for other players to take their chance.”

“Players will always come and go, that’s the nature of football.

“I was a bit disappointed that it happened on the day of a game but I won’t say too much more on that. It is what it is and we’ve got to get on with it.”

The pair have similar profiles in that they’re attacking midfielders who are perfectly capable of drifting out wide, driving inside and also dropping deeper to connect play.

Working in Stayt’s favour was his connection with those around him but Smith did cross paths with Bush, Jack Baxter and Ben Carter to name a few, as well as taking to life at Tavistock like a duck to water.

Buckland are next in action tomorrow night (Weds 14), when they host Smith’s former side Ivybridge for a Devon derby at The VX3 Stadium.