It might be Stevenage captain Ronnie Henry’s 15th year in football, but the veteran defender still loves the game as much as he did as a raw teenager.
The 34-year-old former Tottenham academy player is gearing up to be a big part of the Dino Maamria revolution as Boro aim to vastly improve on last year’s disappointing 16th place finish in League Two.
The Broadhall Way outfit have brought in 14 signings so far this summer, but the experienced Henry is looking forward to the forthcoming season with his new team-mates.
Speaking exclusively to the Comet at the club’s impressive training headquarters at Bragbury End during pre-season, Henry said: “There have been a lot of changes, not just with the players, but the staff members as well.
“The players look good and there are a few that I know in there that have been good pros over the years, and a couple of them that have done well last season.
“‘Tims’ [Michael Timlin] has come from Southend. He’s a good pro and a good player. Scott Cuthbert got promoted last year with Luton Town [as captain] so I’m looking forward to working with them. We look strong and look good to go.”
Boro start their League Two campaign at the Lamex on August 4 against Tranmere Rovers, who are newly-promoted from the Vanarama National League following their 1-0 victory over Boreham Wood in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May.
And despite losing highly-rated defender Ben Wilmot, who was sold to Premier League outfit Watford for a club record £1.1million, and lively striker Matty Godden – who departed for Championship club Peterborough in a deal worth £440,000 – Henry believes the new additions made by Maamria throughout the summer will bolster the Boro squad.
Stevenage’s record appearance holder, who eclipsed Mark Smith’s previous mark when playing his 469th game for the club back in January, added: “We have brought in a few experienced players who know how to win football games and you have targets.
“Every club will be targeting promotion, but the club that actually puts the work in and the effort in will get there in the end.
“We want to be right up there and get promoted as well, but it is a long road at the moment and we are just starting.”
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