Four Added to The Squad at Taunton

Four new Peacocks.

Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division South club Taunton Town have added another four players to their squad in recent days.

The Peacocks have signed defender Ioan Richards.

The 20-year-old was previously on a two-year scholarship with League One side Cheltenham Town, having been with Port Talbot Town and Newport County earlier in his career.

He joined Vanarama National League North outfit Gloucester City in July 2019 following his release by the Robins.

He has previous experience of non-League football whilst on Cheltenham`s books in an 18-game loan spell with Southern Division One South outfit Slimbridge in 2018/19 and returned to that division just before Christmas 2019 with Mangotsfield United.

He signed for Southern Premier Division Central outfit Redditch United in July 2020.

Taunton`s head of football Rob Dray told his club`s website: “Ioan probably had the shortest trial ever after we’ve seen him in one training session and the Yeovil game. He has undoubted pedigree though, great stature and an attitude to defend. Most importantly he wants to play and get better and is still just 20 years old, so I’m pleased to get his signing across the line.”

Joining the Peacocks to add competition for the number one jersey is vastly experienced goalkeeper Marko Radovanovic.

The 31-year-old Australian joins Taunton from Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Bradford Town, who he signed for last year.

He had joined Mangotsfield United from Southern Division One West rivals Cirencester Town in March 2019 before moving to Bradford.

He has also played at Gloucester City and Hereford FC and played for Yaralla, Clinton and The Capricorn Tigers in the senior grade `down under` and was playing for Liverton in the South West Peninsula League before signing for Hereford in February 2019.

He trialled in the Peacocks’ pre-season games and will provide cover and competition for Lloyd Irish during the upcoming campaign.

However, to keep him match sharp, will be loaned out to Western League newcomers Helston Athletic.

Taunton have also welcomed young midfielder Zac Smith back to The Cygnet Health Care Stadium.

The 20-year-old has signed following his release from Championship outfit Bristol City at the end of last season.

Smith spent several months on loan with Taunton in the first part of the 2019/20 season, making 14 appearances and scoring one goal, although his involvement was curtailed due to an ankle injury that saw him miss two months of the campaign.

He spent the second half of the season on loan at National League South Bath City.

He was at Ashton Gate from a young age and played for the Robins` under-18 and under-23 side which he captained. He also made the bench for the first team on three occasions.

Joining on dual registration with Western League Premier Division side Tavistock AFC is defender Luis Edmondson.

The 18-year-old centre-back signed for Tavistock last month after being released by Torquay United.

He was already known to Tavi manager Stuart Henderson having spent time on loan at Langsford Park during the Covid-interrupted campaign of 2020/21.

Taunton Town Web Site