Corby Town manager Ian Sampson has expressed his delight following the signings of former Cobblers pair Jason Crowe and Andy Holt on Wednesday evening. 

Speaking exclusively to www.corbytownfc.co.uk, Sampson said:

"I am absolutely delighted with the additions tonight. It goes without saying that their experience will be invaluable this year if we can get them in the team every game.

"Circumstances have helped in bringing these two in with their great ability. They are coming to the end of their professional careers now and in that respect we have been lucky to get them. They are both local lads and their personal lives have allowed us to bring them in. 

"Between Crowe, Holt and McKenzie (who signed on 12th July) they have played nearly a thousand league games, so hopefully they will do OK for Corby. Their experience will be perfect for the younger members of the squad. 

"Hopefully the squad can gain a lot from having them around for guidance and advice. I know Andy is a great talker. Jason is a bit quieter, but his performances certainly set an example and the way he looks after his body should rub off on the rest of the team. You can see already in the friendlies that Andy makes a difference, he has been helping out the back four and midfield with his talking and that is something extra that he brings.

"The youngsters should definetely look up to them, certainly not be in awe of them and take some advice on board from them."

Despite signing two high-profile players from the Football League and witnessing his side make an emphatic start to their pre-season campaign, Sampson is keen that his side keep their feet firmly on the ground and has issued a call for expectations to remain realistic around Steel Park

"Its down to me to keep the expectation levels down.  It will be as tough for these lads coming out of the Football League as it will be for those coming up from lower levels. It will be a challenge for all of us. I'm sure their experience will help them through. It’s a new league for them, they have come from the Football League into the Conference North so it will be a challenge.

The manager also expects further signings over the next week to add to his squad, with no match this weekend for the Steelmen.

"Hopefully within the next seven days we can get a few more signed up. Its small steps at the moment here at Corby, it’s a new start and we don’t want to raise expectation levels too high, so we will take it one step at a time."