Spalding United sign defender Ben Hart from Kettering Town
Spalding United have made their second new acquisition of the summer after securing the services of defender Ben Hart.
Hart joins the Tulips from Southern League Premier Division Central rivals Kettering Town who reached the play-offs last season.
He is the second player from the Poppies to make the switch to Spalding following the earlier arrival of Connor Johnson.
Hart came through the ranks at Burton Albion and made a handful of League One appearances for the Brewers before loan spells Kidsgrove Athletic, Tamworth and Redditch before moving permanently to Coalville Town ahead of a successful season at Kettering.
The Tulips have also retained the services of 12 players from last season's squad with eight moving on.
Goalkeepers Aaron Chapman and Jake West along with defensive duo Liam Moore and Nathan Fox have also committed to another campaign with the club along with midfielders Dan Lawlor and Lamine Sherif.
Utility player James Clifton will also be returning to the Tulips along with attackers Mani Sani, Bart Cybulski, Jack Roberts, Dion Sembie-Ferris and Jordan Nicholson.
Newcomers Hart and Johnson will bolster a defensive unit which has seen Sam Cartwright, Nathan Stainfield, Glenn Walker and Connor Brown all depart the club.
Stainfield spent last season on loan at Wellingborough Town and the club are planning a 'send-off' for the long serving centre half who has featured more than 320 times for the Tulips.
Cartwright has taken the decision to pursue his football elsewhere for the new season after making nearly 150 appearances for the club.
Walker is ending his two season stay at the club after joining Wellingborough Town while Brown is also bidding farewell to Spalding.
The experienced Kieron Freeman has switched to Hednesford Town with Jonny Ngandu joining Spalding's league rivals Alvechurch.
Callum Chettle has joined Barwell while attacking livewire Joseph Nyahwema is relocating to Australia to join his family who moved overseas during last season.
