Devonshire says Maidenhead United have 'irons in the fire' after Kelly's departure

Maidenhead United's inability to offer Josh Kelly full time football this season appears to be one of the motivating factors behind the striker's move to Solihull Moors this week.

Kelly's move to Moors was announced on Friday, following speculation last week the forward was on the brink of joining one of Maidenhead's National League rivals.

At one stage it looked like Southend United might win the race for his signature, but Alan Devonshire dismissed those rumours on Thursday, and it was Solihull who eventually emerged from the pack with a deal that was suitable to both Kelly and the Magpies.

The 23-year-old broke into the side from the club's successful youth academy and went on to become a fans' favourite, notching 17 times in the league last season, and scoring some spectacular goals over his four seasons in the first team.

He had a year left on his contract so the Magpies will net a healthy fee from Moors for the player, and it seems they'll attempt to reinvest that in the coming weeks, with Devonshire admitting they have ‘several irons in the fire'.

Currently, the Magpies have Sam Barratt, Emile Acquah, Shawn McCoulsky, and Adrian Clifton in their attacking ranks, but Kelly outscored them all last season and fans have been told to 'watch this space' in terms of a possible replacement for him.

Devonshire doesn't expect the club to make a breakthrough on signings in the next couple of weeks, however, he admits that could change as the club actively pursues a replacement for Kelly or looks to strengthen other areas of the squad.

“Listen, I'm not really going to talk about the situation,” said Devonshire. “He wanted full-time football and we couldn't offer that to him. Solihull Moors could so the deal was done, and I wish the boy all the best. We're looking around all the time, watch this space really. At the moment there are a few irons in the fire. I don't know if anything is going to happen this week, or next week, we'll just have to wait and see but we are active on it.

“There's no point in saying anything now because nothing has been done, to the point of a signing being done or being close, but at the end of the day that could change tomorrow.

“There's not a transfer window for the National League, so we've just got to see who's fit or not fit. If someone is going to be out for a few weeks, then it will be more important for us to get someone in. It just all depends on whether everyone is fit and raring to go. We're looking all the time anyway.”

The Magpies round off their pre-season campaign at Farnborough on Saturday, 3pm kick-off, having faded in the second half of Saturday's 3-1 defeat to National League South side Hungerford Town. Sam Barratt swept the Magpies in front with a wonderful free kick from distance, but United conceded two penalties after the break as they fell to defeat.

“We were comfortable in the first half but then we gave away a silly penalty straight after half-time,” said Devonshire. “That gave them a lift, but I don't worry too much about pre-season results, whether they go for us or against us. It's about minutes, Will De Havilland had his first minutes for a few weeks, so did Sammy Beckwith and Sammy Barratt, so it's all pluses on that front. It's about individuals getting minutes into their legs and getting ready for the start of the season.

“It will be the same at Farnborough, seven or eight will only play 45 minutes to make sure they're OK for the game next week.”