Stafford Rangers boss Neil Kitching delighted about Karl Hawley signing
Stafford Rangers boss Neil Kitching is delighted to have signed veteran striker Karl Hawley, stating: “It’s a great capture and I’m sure he’ll do well.”
Hawley lists Walsall, Carlisle United, Preston North End, Notts County and Scunthorpe United among his former clubs.
The 36-year-old has also enjoyed spells at the likes of Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic and Hednesford Town – and joins Boro following a spell as a player-coach at Boston United in National League North.
“We had been chasing Karl for a few weeks so we are pleased to get it over the line,” said Kitching.
“We haven’t been finishing enough of our chances recently and Karl has been brought in to help put that right.
“We have to tighten up at the back as well, but we need to score more goals – and Karl certainly knows where the net is.”
Hawley will be hoping to provide the goals to get Rangers climbing up the Evo-Stik Premier table.
He has shone in the division before, scoring 27 goals in the 2015/16 season to win the league’s golden boot and player of the season awards.
“Karl is very experienced and very fit for his age – he has kept himself in tip-top shape,” said Kitching.
“There’s no substitute for experience and knowledge, which he has in abundance.
“It’s only a couple of seasons ago that he was the league’s top scorer, the league’s best player – and you never lose that eye for goal.”
After leaving Stour last year, he was a first team coach at Mansfield Town – working alongside Adam Murray – and had a brief stint at Rushall before he took up a player-coach role at Boston, who were also managed by Murray.
Hawley took charge of Boston on an interim basis after Murray left them in October.
He left the Pilgrims after they made Craig Elliott their permanent boss.
Despite his coaching background, Kitching insists Hawley is at Marston Road with one role – to score goals on a regular basis.
“He’s just here to score goals and move us up the table, that’s what we want from him,” added Kitching.
“He is someone that will help the lads though, the young ones, and help them to get better too.
“We had been lacking leaders in key areas. He’s a great capture and I’m sure he’ll do well. He’s the type of player that we needed.”
Weather permitting, Rangers will head to Coalville Town on Saturday.
