Former Kettering Town captain Connor Johnson agrees to join Spalding United

Spalding United have kicked-off their recruitment drive with a stand-out signing.

The Tulips have secured the services of highly-rated defender Connor Johnson ahead of the new Southern League Premier Division Central campaign.

Johnson was captain of Kettering Town last season and led the Poppies to the play-off final where they were beaten to promotion by AFC Telford.

The centre-half began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers which featured loan spells at Boreham Wood, AFC Telford United, Walsall and Kilmarnock.

Prior to joining Kettering, he enjoyed two successful seasons at Spalding manager Jimmy Dean's former club Peterborough Sports.

The Tulips are close to finalising their pre-season programme of friendlies with a match at Northern Premier League Midlands Division newcomers Bourne Town being announced by the Wakes.

Michael Goode's charges also have a high profile friendly confirmed at home to National League South side Dorking Wanderers.

The Surrey side are managed by flamboyant boss Marc White and have their own YouTube documentary series filmed by Bunch of Amateurs.

The Wakes also have matches planned against Pinchbeck United, Lincoln United, Peterborough United and Harrowby United with the dates and times of the July games to be confirmed.

Top scorer Zac Allen has become the first Bourne player to commit to the Wakes for next season.

Allen netted 32 times last season for the Wakes during a memorable campaign where they won promotion through the United Counties League Premier Division North play-offs while also enjoying a club record-breaking run in the FA Vase.

The club staged their presentation evening on Friday night with Allen winning the top goalscorer award while Aaron Eyett netted the goal of the season accolade for his strike against Newark Town.

Defender Brad Marshall was the players' player and supporters' player of the season while goalkeeper Dan Swan took the manager's accolade.