2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Farnborough

Player Decisions

Retain

Louis Holzman, Michael Klass, Courtney Senior, Mason Bloomfield, Aaron Kuhl, Wes Fonguck, Micah Anthony, Nico Lawrence, Rakish Bingham, Renny Smith, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Ollie Robinson

Release

Glenn Gabriel, Jack Turner, Connor Harris, Cass Fried-Jones, John Oyenuga

Lose

Hakeem Sandah

Loan End

Boyd Beacroft, Michael Stickland,Toby Bower, Alfie Tuck, Joe Duncan, Tommy Reid

Retained Squad

New Signings

Joseph Wright (Barnet – free)

In an ideal world, I expect Farnborough will want to re-sign Joe Duncan after a successful loan spell. The likelihood of that is slim, and so they may have to look elsewhere. One option that I would consider and who I think is likely attainable for Spencer Day’s side is Joseph Wright. 

Wright has enjoyed first-team opportunities by way of brief loan spells with Chelmsford City, Bedford Town, Dorking Wanderers and Kidderminster Harriers earlier this year, yet beyond that he has been very much surplus to requirements. He is 25 years of age, and so while he will no doubt be slightly disappointed to not get the chance to play his football in the Football League I think that there has to be a degree of realism in Wright’s next move. An appreciation for the fact he needs to play regularly, and that will likely come in non-league. 

I feel that Wright needs to go and find himself the opportunity to be a #1 and to get regular minutes under his belt, and so joining a Farnborough side who churned through their fair share of goalkeepers in 2025-26 and are looking for a new starting goalkeeper might be a sensible avenue for him to pursue. Personally, I think that he is probably a top-end, National League South goalkeeper and so a good fit for a Farnborough side that will be looking to challenge at the other end of the league going into 2026-27 compared to this season.

Barnet already have Owen Evans on their books and will likely try to re-sign Cieran Slicker, and so – in short – Wright’s first-team opportunities at The Hive will continue to be few and far between. With Dean Brennan likely to let him go on a free transfer, I feel he would be a good option for Day to consider.

Tarik Gidaree (Slough Town – free)

One of the hardest challenges that Spencer Day is going to have this summer is in successfully replacing Body Beacroft. The youngster was a revelation on loan from Reading. One option that I think they could look at is Tarik Gidaree.

In terms of his profile, Gidaree is your archetypal, modern-day full-back. Quick, a powerful runner, incredible energy and athleticism in covering ground with good recovery pace.

Gidaree is less polished in his final action that Beacroft, but I would say he is more dynamic. Defensively, I think there is perhaps the odd question mark and for him to work on. However, if they do sign a more experienced full-back – as I have suggested – as a bit of a mentor then I feel he represents a nice project for Spencer Day. Indeed, such is his strength in ball-carrying I could see him used further forward in giving them a similar range of skillsets to that of Hakeem Sandah.

One of the reasons as to why I would be a huge advocate for Farnborough signing Tarik Gidaree is he is a young, up-and-coming full-back that they can develop as one of their own assets. A lot of their better work in 2025-26 has come in the loan market, however having players of their own – especially in the defensive third – could provide them with greater stability and a strong foundation to build off.

With Slough Town likely to be going through a fair bit of change this summer in wake of Scott Davies’ departure, I think there is a window of opportunity for Spencer Day to get a player like Gidaree of The Rebels’ books. They are likely in a better position financially to offer the youngster a deal, and so with his deal out of contract at Arbour Park then I would make a move for his signature.One of the hardest challenges that Spencer Day is going to have this summer is in successfully replacing Body Beacroft. The youngster was a revelation on loan from Reading. One option that I think they could look at is Tarik Gidaree.

In terms of his profile, Gidaree is your archetypal, modern-day full-back. Quick, a powerful runner, incredible energy and athleticism in covering ground with good recovery pace.

Gidaree is less polished in his final action that Beacroft, but I would say he is more dynamic. Defensively, I think there is perhaps the odd question mark and for him to work on. However, if they do sign a more experienced full-back – as I have suggested – as a bit of a mentor then I feel he represents a nice project for Spencer Day. Indeed, such is his strength in ball-carrying I could see him used further forward in giving them a similar range of skillsets to that of Hakeem Sandah.

One of the reasons as to why I would be a huge advocate for Farnborough signing Tarik Gidaree is he is a young, up-and-coming full-back that they can develop as one of their own assets. A lot of their better work in 2025-26 has come in the loan market, however having players of their own – especially in the defensive third – could provide them with greater stability and a strong foundation to build off.

With Slough Town likely to be going through a fair bit of change this summer in wake of Scott Davies’ departure, I think there is a window of opportunity for Spencer Day to get a player like Gidaree of The Rebels’ books. They are likely in a better position financially to offer the youngster a deal, and so with his deal out of contract at Arbour Park then I would make a move for his signature.

George Francomb (Dorking Wanderers – free)

Quite a lot of the business that Farnborough have done this season has been in signing young, hungry and up-and-coming players – be it fresh out of an academy, or in stepping up – and it ultimately paid dividends. However, I feel that signing one or two more experienced faces would be useful.

One option that I think Spencer Day could look at to provide that is George Francomb. He finished the season with Dorking Wanderers, and so he knows the league. He is now 34 years of age, amassed over 500 appearances in his professional career and is capable of playing as a right-back or as a centre-back. As such, he represents a reliable pair of hands in that backline. 

Given that he is in the final few years of his professional career, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him join as a second-choice, having already played sparingly for Wanderers this term as a backup choice. However, I think that he could provide real value for a club like Farnborough that are perhaps in need of that more experienced defensive operator that can a) be a good role model in guiding a young right-back in Tarik Gidaree and b) contribute to the leadership of the group. 

The side has lacked leaders at times this term, and so I feel that signing a professional of George Francomb’s experience is invaluable. If they can sign him on a free transfer, I think that would represent a smart piece of business.

John Ryan (Reading – free)

One of the main successes of Farnborough’s recruitment this term has been in signing young players out of the Reading academy on loan, with Boyd Beacroft and Michael Stickland impressing. I think that they could again look to utilise that avenue in signing players this summer, and so I would look at youngster John Ryan. 

Ryan is out of contract with The Royals, and I would expect that he might be allowed to leave the club ahead of 2026-27. Given how successfully Beacroft and Stickland did in Farnborough colours, I feel that Spencer Day will be able to earn rave reviews as to the environment at the club that will be fed back into the Reading camp to the tune of further Royals youngsters following suit in joining them. If Ryan wants to get his first real taste of first-team football, I think that a permanent move to Farnborough might be of interest to the youngster. 

The 22-year-old has a really intriguing journey into the game, with spells with Shamrock Rovers and Italian side Sassuolo prior to joining The Royals in 2023. Despite joining the club three years ago, game time has been at a premium for the youngster and I don’t see any change in that position going into the next season. He will likely want to find himself a new challenge, and so signing for Farnborough could be a good opportunity to kick-start his career. 

In terms of the type of player that he is, Ryan is an energetic, attacking full-back with a good engine, strong in transition with his speed and ball-carrying qualities and has got the composure in playing out. A strong ball-progressor from deep and his first instinct is to get forward and contribute to the attacking player. 

During his time with The Royals, Ryan has been used as a makeshift centre-back at times and so offers Spencer Day the versatility in how he is used. I think that he would be a good stylistic fit for playing left of a back three, or as an attacking full-back in a four. He has had good pedigree, formerly capped at youth level internationally and I feel that he represents an intriguing project.

Ben Drake (Millwall – loan)

As competition to John Ryan, one player that I would look at as a potential signing for Spencer Day’s side is Ben Drake. 

Drake finished the campaign on loan in the National League with Braintree Town, and one that the youngster will no doubt have learnt a lot from. The young left-back has managed to play first-team minutes at a good level and in a side that have been fairly up against it this term in the fifth tier. 

The 20-year-old is originally from Reading, and so geographically is not too far away from Farnborough. He has been with Sheffield United’s academy as well, and so the youngster has been well-coached with a good technical grounding. His loan with The Iron this term has been much about experiencing men’s football, but joining Farnborough would be one in which he has got to challenge against good competition, and be part of a side that will be pushing for the top-half of the campaign. 

The youngster can play as a full-back or as a centre-back. Athletic, comfortable on the ball, fairly quick and forward-thinking in wanting to progress the ball from deep. The fact that he is comfortable playing centrally provides options to Spencer Day in using him in the centre of the backline and so provides competition to Louis Lomas given his injury problems, but I would see him as a left-back. 

I feel that the youngster has got lovely skillsets and has a maturity that you perhaps don’t see at Drake’s age, and so I think that he would be a stellar acquisition for Farnborough on loan. He is highly-rated within Millwall circles, and I believe he would be a good option for Spencer Day.

Omar Mussa (Wealdstone – free)

While Omar Mussa has been with The Stones in the National League this season, I think that boss Gary Waddock will let him go in the summer having featured sparingly due to a combination of injury and their form. If he does get let go by The Stones, I feel that this has a ‘Spencer Day Signing’ written all over it.

Getting the best out of Omar Mussa does take a lot of strong management – almost to try and ‘bottle’ his energy and the risk that he takes in possession – but I feel that Day would relish the opportunity to work with him. In terms of technical ability, I don’t think that Day is likely to find many better players at the level.

Throughout his career, there is no denying that Mussa has demonstrated his qualities with the ball. Outrageous technical ability. Good ball-striking. A lovely range of vision and passing over different distances. He always loves to show himself as an option during the build-up phase, dropping slightly deeper and picking the ball up off the centre-backs. It was during his time with Torquay United in which he particularly showed his value in almost a ‘quarterback’ role, where he can sit in, dictate the tempo of a game and create.

The question mark I would have with Mussa is ensuring that you can get him playing in the right. Pirouettes and ‘death by 100’ touches in his own penalty area as we have seen at times elsewhere isn’t effective. Take on the motto of ‘less is more’. He is the type of player who wants to do ‘everything’, but I think he needs to be more selective in when he gets involved in the play and playing in the right areas. Taking less risk with the ball in making more efficient use of the ball. Do that, and I think you’re onto a winner.

Mussa is an infectious character, and very popular within most dressing rooms he has been in. A lovely energy and confidence. If I was a coach, I’d love to try and make it work with a player like Mussa. He is a brilliant footballer technically, and if he can sharpen up some of the ‘rough bits’ round the edges, play further forward and make more intelligent decisions, I think he can be a success.

Yassine En-Neyah (Truro City – free)

One player that I think Farnborough should sign – having been a bit of a nomad throughout his still fairly fledgling career – is Truro City’s Yassine En-Neyah.

When I have watched Spencer Day’s sides, I have always come away thinking that they play some nice stuff and technically strong, yet they lack that energy and athleticism against the ball. Day prioritises largely technical ball-players in central areas, and so I would like to see them go out and sign more of a worker and that can get through the high volume running that they need.

In En-Neyah, they would be getting a player who is a hard-working, athletic, physically powerful attacking midfielder. When I have watched him, I don’t think that he is overly technical with the ball, but instead favours the use of his frame and his energy in driving the ball from deep. Indeed, when I have seen him play with Truro City in the season that they won the league, En-Neyah seemed to be a better fit – I feel – playing slightly deeper where he can influence a game physically.

He has been listed as being capable of playing as a winger in his earlier youth days, but for me I don’t think he’s got the speed or the craft to be as effective in those more advanced areas. His output is certainly not indicative of a player that has been performing well in those areas – with only two career goals – and so I would see him operating more centrally.

Farnborough will be looking to push towards the top end of the league next season, and so signing a player who has ‘been there and done it’ in winning the league is definitely useful. I think The Tinners will look to freshen up their midfield going into next season, and so En-Neyah could be one to look at.

Taylor Clark (Chelmsford City – free)

One option that I have picked out for Farnborough to sign that will need little in the way of an introduction is youngster Taylor Clark. A previous Farnborough player. A player that ended the campaign on the books of Hampton and Richmond on loan from parent club Chelmsford City. 

In a Chelmsford City side that played a rather direct style of football, Taylor Clark was always – I feel – a bit of an odd choice in signing for The Clarets. Joining Farnborough, they are a side who look to play a lot more football, get the ball down and play through the thirds, and I think that is a better fit for Taylor Clark and the type of football that not only he wants to play, but gets the best out of his skillsets.

As a player, Clark is a skillful, quick-footed wide player. He is so diminutive that he has got a lovely dynamism in the carry. He is quite a creative player, with a delicate weight of pass and always positive in looking to play forward. There is definitely work to do physically, but if you can get him in the right areas and allow him to play then I think he can be a real asset. 

One of the advantages that you get with signing a player of Clark’s profile is that he is capable of playing in a number of different roles. Central midfield, as a winger or as a full-back. Farnborough’s start to the campaign was hampered by injuries and so having players that are flexible is incredibly useful to have.

The youngster is someone in whom I retain a high level of confidence as to his abilities, and feel that he could represent a good project for Spencer Day to work with. HIs previous loan spells with Farnborough were a real success, and so I think that the 20-year-old should make a permanent return to the club during the summer. If they can get him, I feel Clark can return to the level which he has hit previously at this level and get back to enjoying his football.

Rohan Vaughan (QPR – loan)

With Mason Bloomfield and Rakish Bingham already on the books, I feel that they may look to try and sign a younger, more athletic, more mobile option in the summer. One option that will definitely not be a household name, yet who I think might be a useful candidate for Farnborough, is youngster Rohan Vaughan. 

Spencer Day has already demonstrated that he has got connections with Queens Park Rangers in the signing of youngster Alfie Tuck, and so it wouldn’t surprise me if Farnborough are to utilise those links to sign another Hoops player next term. If he does, I think that 20-year-old Vaughan could be a good option. 

The extent of the youngsters’ first-team experience to date has been loans in the Isthmian League with Dartford and out in Ireland with Dundalk, and so he is certainly a bit of a gamble and a project for Spencer Day. However, Day has demonstrated in 2025-26 that he gets the best out of young players and so Farnborough may well be a good environment for him to go and play his football. 

As a profile, Vaughan is an industrious and hard-working striker that is mobile, strong with the ball into his chest and provides a bit of physicality at the top end of the pitch. A good turn of pace, mobile and someone that looks to play on the shoulder in making runs in beyond the play. He offers a little more running and energy in the final third to what they have currently got at their disposal. 

He is definitely in need of a bit of ‘polishing’, but the raw skillsets are there and he is out of a good academy at Queens Park Rangers, and so I think that he makes for a good loan option for Spencer Day’s side.

Max Mullins (Eastbourne Borough – free)

The final player that I have picked on this list is a player that ultimately ended 2025-26 by being relegated out of the National League South in the form of Max Mullins. 

One of Farnborough’s problems this season has been their injury record and having to sign loan players to provide short-term cover. If they are to mitigate those injuries more effectively next season, I think that signing players who are versatile and capable of playing in different positions is going to be hugely beneficial. Ideally dual-purpose. The skillsets to slot into different roles, and provide the manager with the options to use them in different ways. Mullins is definitely a good fit for this. 

During his time at Aldershot Town, Mullins has played as a full-back, a winger, and deployed as a striker. He is suitably physical, athletic and technical such that he can – within reason – play in any of the forward positions and full-back areas. I am not overly sure of where his best position is given that he has remained so adaptable in doing a job for the team, but his most recent displays have come as a #9 and playing through the middle. 

In terms of his profile, Mullins is a terrific athlete. Incredibly powerful. A great engine. Quick. A strong runner. Relentless energy in pressing from the front, constantly on the move and willing to make runs off the shoulder. He is surprisingly good in the air for someone of his height, with a good leap. He is perhaps lacking that end product and quality of decision-making, and is a bit unpolished, but in terms of his physical attributes then I feel that he is a lovely player.

He is still only 23 years of age, and so he would represent a bit of a project for Spencer Day to work with. Signing for Farnborough would allow him to remain at Step Two in spite of Eastbourne Borough’s relegation, and I think that he would be a good addition for Farnborough.