Braintree Town have confirmed a plethora of new signings as their preparations for the 2024/25 National League season continue under manager Angelo Harrop, as confirmed via the club’s social media.
Dagenham’s Inih Effiong, Colchester’s Marley Marshall-Miranda, Eastleigh’s George Langston and York’s Finlay Barnes have all joined the National League side ahead of their returning season in the English fifth tier, with the club hoping they can survive in the division.
How important is the arrival of Effiong?
The 33-year-old signed for the club on Wednesday off the back of an impressive season for Dagenham & Redbridge last season. Effiong bagged a total of 16 goals for the East London club last season but with talks breaking down between the player and club on a new deal, it is Braintree Town where the striker will be plying his trade next season.
The striker confirmed that a chat with the management team at Braintree convinced him to sign with a desire to be part of the plan that they have going forward for the club.
Effiong will be looking to form a strong partnership with the impressive young striker Kyrell Lisbie who signed for Braintree earlier this month having had an impressive season for Cray Valley Paper Mills.
A busy 48 hours for the Iron
The signing of Effiong concluded a busy day of business for the Iron who had earlier confirmed the signings of George Langston and Marley Marshall-Miranda from Eastleigh and Colchester respectively and have also landed York’s Finlay Barnes on a free transfer.
Langston is a player with experience within the National League having made 43 appearances at centre half for Eastleigh last season. Having come through the Watford academy and captained the under-23’s side, the Iron have a player who can be seen as a real leader despite his youthful twenty-one years of age.
Braintree will hope Langston brings experience and solidity to their defence and drives them on in their ambition. Langston stated in his first interview with the club that:
“This club is not here to take part and there is ambition, hunger and a desire within the club and that is one of the key factors why I am here”
Adding to the signings of defender Langston and striker Effiong is midfielder Marley Marshall-Miranda following his release from Colchester United. Miranda started his youth career in the Spanish leagues having been born in Madrid but joined Colchester United in 2016 and was given his first start in 2020.
The midfielder found game-time hard to come by, having made twenty league appearances during his five years at Colchester but will be looking to become a mainstay in the Iron midfield for their first season back in the National League. The midfielder described himself as a “front-foot midfielder” who likes to win the ball back and “make big tackles”.
Barnes joined York from Leiston last summer and spent the majority of the 2023/24 campaign with sixth-tier sides Darlington and Scarborough Athletic. However, despite being under contract, Barnes had his contract cancelled by mutual consent and has now joined Braintree in an attempt to bolster their midfield options.
What does the season hold for Braintree?
During the 2023/24 season, two of the four relegated teams were newly promoted ones, whilst Ebbsfleet United only confirmed their survival on the final day. Therefore, there is additional pressure on the four newly promoted clubs this season.
However, adding experienced National League players in Effiong and Langston alongside youthful quality and energy in Miranda and Lisbie will give the club hope going into the new season.
Having secured the services of Angelo Harrop for at least another year, Iron fans can be confident that he will build a side that is not only competitive in the National League but one that could surprise a few teams too.