Hereford have announced the signing of 22-year old Cawley Cox who scored 20 goals for Merthyr Town in 61 appearances. Cox is the first new player to be brought in by manager Aaron Downes, and has been handed a 2-year contract.
I did wonder over recent months whether this deal was possible ..and in the end it was.
For the player there is less travelling and a bigger club. A two year deal is quite a statement.
I know the hindsight critics will be opining why we didn’t sign him sooner. There are questions to be asked but at the same time it’s worth noting the reality. Step 5 to step 2 is an enormous jump. Merthyr gave him a trial and sent him back as “not ready.”
When they did sign him, they were in step 3, and able to bed him in gently around the free-scoring Rees. He’s now proved he can score at step 3 and step 2.
Had he joined Hereford earlier he’d have been behind Remaye Campbell, Andy Williams and Jason Cowley and in my opinion would have struggled to get any game time. The route to Edgar Street has there been longer, but given our resources it’s probably the best way we have.
Is he really 22? Looks 16 in this picture ? I must be getting old.
“Being local and signing for a club that I’ve been in and around for so long is a big feeling for me,” said Cox. “For anyone that plays locally, it’s a big thing to come and play for Hereford – it’s the biggest club in the county. It’s huge for me and for Pegasus and Westfields as well. It shows the progression that’s possible from those clubs.”
Manager Aaron Downes added: “He’s a local player and bit of a Hereford supporter, so it’s a big day for him and his family. It’s a great signing for the club – he’s a great age and had a really good season for Merthyr at our level, so I’m ecstatic to bring him in.
“I’ve not signed him because he’s local. I’ve signed him because he’s a good football player. As soon as I spoke with Cawley, you could see his excitement in wanting to join. He’s a player that I feel is going to play a big part in our success next season.”
Simon Wright
