CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard was at the Kassem stadium last Saturday and was as disappointed as the rest of the fantastic members of the travelling Sky Blue Army at the team’s capitulation against fellow strugglers Oxford United. However, he did salvage one achievement from a dismal day, the signing of a new recruit for the Association, our former central defender Aaron Martin.
Aaron was not in the Oxford team who beat City due to injury (though former Sky Blue junior Josh Ruffels made a late substitution and former loanee Chris Maguire was a major architect of our defeat). Frank takes up the story:
“Set off early hoping to capture a couple of new signings but not to optimistic as one of the avenues I use to get in touch with former players had already failed. So it was down to plan B, but after sitting through a very painful 112 minutes and an embarrassing display and heavy defeat, that too didn’t work either. Fortunately I’d accepted an invitation to join some friends in the Oxford Boardroom and as we were drowning our sorrows ( with glasses of water I might add ) one of my targets entered the room!
After a short chat Aaron Martin happily agreed to join us, he’s currently recovering from a groin injury but is optimistic he’ll soon be back on the grass. A warm welcome Aaron, we hope to see you back at the Ricoh as our guest in the not too distant future. Huge thanks to CCFPA Associate Member Ken Simmonds and great supporter of CCFPA who was great company for his help to facilitate Aaron’s signature.”
Aaron in the Sky Blue
Born on the Isle of Wight, Aaron became a professional from trainee in 2009 with Southampton who brought him in from local Conference side Eastleigh where he had started two years earlier. Between 2009-14 Aaron played 29 games (2 goals) for the south coast club but spent loan periods with Salisbury, Crystal Palace and in 2013 the Sky Blues making 12 league appearances. Moving to Birmingham on a free in January 2014 he made a further 8 appearances before moving (again on a free) to Yeovil Town at the end of the season. Another 14 appearances (3 goals) for Yeovil followed before he came to the Ricoh at the end of September 2014 on loan and was then signed by CCFC on a free in January 2015. Turning out for the Sky Blues a further 60 times he contributed 2 goals but left at the end of last season to eventually sign for Oxford for this season so far making 7 appearances for the club from Oxon.
Welcome to the Association Aaron! We look forward to seeing you back at the Ricoh when playing commitments allow.
More at http://www.ccfpa.co.uk/?p=21988