SPHINX boss Luke Hopkins has expressed his delight following the signing of Richard Blythe from Rugby Town.
The former Barwell midfielder has been on Hopkins’ radar for several years and has agreed to put pen-to-paper on a deal at Sphinx Drive when he returns from travelling.
A previous Southern League winner in 2011 with Barwell, Blythe moved to Rugby Town and was part of the Valley squad that finish in and around the play-off positions.
His signing is seen as key to helping Sphinx push on from their 18th place position in the Midland Football League Premier Division.
“I have been after Rich for since I took over and appreciated the fact he wanted to play as high as possible, but that never stopped me asking him each year,” said Hopkins.
“It has helped that Herbs has worked with Richard before and it has tied in nicely with Mitch Piggon and Robbie Banks coming on board.
“I know he’s turned down some higher placed clubs, offering some attractive packages to come and give us a shot at helping us progress.
“He has a great pedigree and played in the FA Youth Cup Final against Chelsea for Aston Villa in 2010.”
Blythe joins former team mates Robbie Banks and Mitch Piggon who have also signed for Sphinx from Rugby Town.
Assistant manager, Craig Herbert, added “Rich is a Cov lad and it makes sense he plays his football in Cov.
“There are many lads from the city that go elsewhere to play but we are looking to get them playing for us and get this club on the move again.
“We’ve had lads agree to join us and move on, which was the case last week, but that’s football, it happens at all levels and good luck to them.
“But we are safe in the knowledge that I know Rich and he’s a good lad, he’s given us his word and that’s good enough for me and the gaffer.”
Sphinx have also confirmed that Stu Dutton has returned to Coventry Copsewood to take up a new role as joint manager alongside Darren Dickson.
Dutton was responsible for bringing lot of young players through into the first team and Sphinx have wished him the best of luck in his new role.