ROYSTON Town have made former Tring Athletic and Hatfield Town utility-man Jason Beck their second signing of the summer.

Beck has played in the Crows’ two pre-season matches against Takeley and Standon & Puckeridge and even found the net against Takeley.

Manager Paul Attfield has been a long-term admirer of the player, whose favoured positions are centre-half and centre-forward, and he was close to bringing him to Garden Walk midway through last season from Hatfield along with Matt and Martin Standen and John McGrandles before the player decided on a move to Tring.

Attfield is delighted to have added Beck to his squad, and he is in no doubt the club has never been in a better position to mount a promotion challenge.

“He did well in the two matches he’s played for us,” said Attfield.

“He’s got a bit of everything and a lot of ability. He’s strong in the air, very physical and very useful on the ball and the fact his favoured positions are centre-half and centre-forward tells you a lot about the player.”

“There’s no doubt we can win the league this year. Technically-wise we are very good but whether we have the mental strength to do it only time will tell.

“We need luck along the way with injuries – which we didn’t have last year. Also the squad was too easy to pick from for most of last season and I feel we’ve got a lot more competition for places now.

“This team is good enough to go up – I know I said that this time last year but this team is more than capable of getting out of the league.”

Attfield has also responded to reports that full-back Jack Bradshaw could be set for a move to Evo-Stik Premier side Hitchin Town. Canaries boss Carl Williams said last week that Bradshaw is a player he would like to bring to Top Field but it now appears the player will be staying at the club for the foreseeable future.

Attfield is pleased with how pre-season is going so far following wins over Takeley and Standon & Puckeridge last week, and is hoping for more of the same when the Crows lock horns with Godmanchester Rovers this Saturday in their next friendly outing.

“We looked really fit against Takeley who were a decent outfit,” added Attfield.

“They were also a very good side technically and we got more out of the game than I had expected. Saturday was bit tougher as Standon & Puckeridge were physically tough but the lads worked hard and things are looking good at the moment for us.”