WHITCHURCH United have fended off interest from Winchester City for goalkeeper Brad Snelling.

The talented, young stopper was outstanding last season as Whitchurch surprised everyone to finish sixth in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

With Gareth Barfoot moving to Salisbury and Ryan Gosney unable to do the travelling, Winchester are in search of a new No1 as they prepare for a return to the Southern One South & West ranks.

But Whitchurch boss Carl Bennett is delighted to report that that ’keeper will NOT be Snelling.

Bennett, who took Snelling up to Whitchurch with him from Romsey Town last summer, said: “We had to fight off Winchester to keep Brad and I’m really glad he’s staying.

“I’d put him in the top bracket of ’keepers in this league. I rate him, I really do.

“Winchester came in for him towards the end of last week, but he turned them down.

“He’s a young lad with aspirations to go higher, but he wanted one more season with us.

“It’s a massive plus for Whitchurch and shows what we’ve got as a group in the dressing room.

“Brad had made a commitment by signing forms for us and he wanted to see it through.”

Ex-Sholing defender Mitch Fear has, however, left Whitchurch to try his luck at getting signed by Winchester, while Adam Pearson – who briefly left the Jam Boys for Bashley last term – is taking a break from the game.

Bennett has filled the defensive void by bringing back former skipper Ali Brown after a season with Hartley Wintney and re-signing Cole Hinchcliffe on Wessex forms.

The likes of Jack McCarthy, Josh Green, Danny Phillips, Matt Austin and Tom Lockyer have also re-signed for the Jam Boys, but experienced former Pompey, Basingstoke and AFC Totton defender/midfielder Danny Barker is dropping into the Hampshire Premier League.