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Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
Wayne Benn is actively scanning the market for potential new recruits for Hemsworth Miners Welfare, who have been hit by wave of absences.
Injuries, suspensions and unavailability have meant that Benn has had several key players missing for recent fixtures. The situation may not change for the next few weeks either.
“We’re constantly looking (for new players), but when finances are tight, it is difficult to bring people in,” Benn told Non League Yorkshire.
“We are in need of another option up front as there is a lot of emphasis on Billy (Law) and Nick (Guest).
“In key areas we are very short. We’re missing quality footballers and it is having an impact.
“I can’t change things around too much because we haven’t got the personnel to do so. Sam Jones is back from suspension on Tuesday night.
“I hope Lee Swift is not injured for too much longer. Dom Blair (injured) may be a couple of weeks away from coming back. Brice Tiani is unavailable and they are all big players for us.
“We have pretty much our whole midfield missing at the moment.”
Former Farsley Celtic midfielder David Briggs has been lured out of retirement
One player who recently signed for the Wells is former Ossett Town, Guiseley and Farsley Celtic midfielder David Briggs.
Briggs stepped back from the Non League circuit a few years ago because of family commitments.
But he has been lured back after being reunited with Benn at the recent Non League ex-players five-a-side tournament at the A1 Football Factory.
“He looked quite sharp and you have a chat over a beer as you do and it kind of stemmed from that,” Benn said.
“We knew that January was going to be a tough period so we were looking for options.
“Briggsy is 32-years-old and he gave up way too soon, but family was his priority, not football when he retired. But he’s got his buzz back.
“He hasn’t played for two-or-three years so I’m not going to judge him on how he plays for four-or-five weeks because it is unfair.
“But I can assure you that when we do get the lad fit and he gets that desire and hunger back, we have a very good player on our hands.”
Benn did play in the tournament, but he won’t be joining Briggs in making a playing comeback to help ease his selection problems.
“I’m a long way from that, it would have to get really bad here for me to put a kit on,” quipped Benn.
Hemsworth visit Maltby Main tomorrow.