As mentioned in Saturday's post-match interview, following The Martyrs' 2-1 away victory at Harrow Borough, Paul Michael provided an update on the current squad, with a few players leaving in the last week or so.

 

Firstly Ismail Yakubu, who has been in more of a coaching role at the club this season, a role that was decided upon by Ismail and Paul Michael ahead of the 2023/24 season, has joined Cinderford Town on a short-term agreement, to get some minutes under his belt. Yakubu has only made one competitive appearance for the Martyrs this season but has featured in several matchday squads. Since originally joining the Martyrs on loan in the 2019/20 season from Hayes & Yeading United, Yak has made a total of 68 appearances, scoring 5 goals. Yakubu rejoined the Martyrs ahead of the 2021/22 season, after spending a season at Penybont, after the Martyrs mothballed for that season.

 

Secondly, young fullback Joe Keeping has joined Lydney Town, who are also in the Hellenic Premier alongside Cinderford Town, on a short-term deal, to get some further senior minutes, after featuring in 10 games for The Martyrs earlier on this season. Joe more recently has been a part of the Merthyr Town Development squad, who compete in the FAW Cymru Premier Development league, in which he scored 5 goals in 4 games, featuring a hat-trick against Penybont. Paul Michael explained in Saturdays post-match interview that “both himself and Joe feel it will be beneficial for him to play as much senior football as possible, after a promising start to the season, so a short-term deal will allow Joe to do this.”

 

And finally, Saturday's 2-1 away victory at Harrow Borough was Jack Evans’ last game for the Martyrs, after his job has resulted in him relocating to Leeds, meaning Jack will be moving on to a new club closer to his home and place of work. Jack made a total of 62 appearances for the Martyrs since joining at the back end of the 2021/22 season, and quickly became a fans favourite from his role in midfield. After juggling his availability in recent weeks between his work in Leeds and playing football for the Martyrs, Jack and Paul Michael agreed that his relocation would make it difficult for him to continue to be with us.

 

We would like to wish all departing players the very best in their moves, and hopefully we see them back at Penydarren Park soon.