Bates: Player recruitment is no problem at Wembley

Player-boss Ian Bates says he never has to twist a player’s arm to get them to sign up at Wembley.

The nature of non-league football and its non-contract culture means footballers will always come and go.

Managing your squad and finding quick replacements to unexpected departures is an essential skill for any manager like Bates.

The Combined Counties Premier side’s squad has been stretched to the limit as the fixtures mount up in a hectic end to the season.

They had three games this week, beating Westfield 3-0 in a stunning performance last Thursday, following up with a 2-1 win over Hartley Wintney on Saturday, before running out of steam on Tuesday night as the Lions lost 2-0 at South Park.

A veteran midfielder, Bates also helps out on the field as well to give himself an extra option to pick from at Vale Farm.

The Combined Counties Premier outfit can act as a shop window for players looking to make a name for themselves and earn a deal higher up the pyramid.

Japanese winger Tatsuya Fujioka is a prime example as the diminutive midfielder swapped northwest London for the beaches of Thailand and a professional career in the far east.

Fujioka’s success can be used by Bates to help attract others hopeful of climbing the ladder, although the Wembley club legend says he never has to beg players to put pen to paper.

“It’s a nice club to be at,” said the player-manager. “The club sells itself really.

“I just try to give the players a platform to play and enjoy good football.

“If a team does come in, more often than not they refuse it.”

In the case of Fujioka, Bates didn’t have to reach for his contacts book to find a replacement and instead he promoted youngster Marvin Lawrence to the first-team.

Elsewhere, Rayners Lane were knocked out of the BlueFin Challenge Cup at the quarter-final stage following a 4-0 defeat by Ascot United on Saturday.

Mick Bradshaw’s side returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Penn & Tylers Green on Tuesday night in Hellenic League Division One East. Albert Ansah, Callum McCarroll and Denis Nortey got the goals.