Swindon Town Secure Signing of Former Bolton Wanderers Midfielder James Ball
Swindon Town Football Club has completed the signing of James Ball, a 29-year-old midfielder with over 300 career appearances, as they continue to bolster their squad ahead of the new season. According to a report by the Swindon Advertiser, Ball joins fellow midfielders Tom Nichols and Darren Oldaker, who have already made the move to the club this summer, along with new deals for Joel McGregor and Paul Glatzel.
The addition of Ball is seen as a significant coup for Swindon Town, with the midfielder bringing a wealth of experience and a physical presence to the team. Standing at six foot two inches, Ball will add a new dimension to Ian Holloway’s midfield, alongside his ability to play in almost every midfield role. During his career, Ball has represented clubs such as Bolton Wanderers, Stockport County, and most recently Wimbledon, making over 300 appearances in the process.
In an interview with the Swindon Advertiser, Ball expressed his excitement at joining the club, saying: “I’m buzzing to join a club with the ambition and fanbase of Swindon Town. I’m here to help the team push up the table and fight for promotion.” He also revealed that he had a phone call with Holloway last week, during which the manager sold Swindon to him. “He told me about his ambitions for the club this season and the project for the future, and I could see the improvement when he took over last season and his influence was massive,” Ball added.
Ball’s positional flexibility will undoubtedly be an asset to Swindon Town, with the midfielder having been used in attacking midfield, defensive midfield, and in the middle of the defence during his career. His defensive work rate is also impressive, with Ball winning 73.3 per cent of his tackles last season, ranking in the 81st percentile. He also made 1.4 interceptions per 90 minutes, 5.51 recoveries per 90, and 0.37 possession won in the final third, showcasing his ability to read the game and make crucial interventions.
The Swindon Advertiser also spoke to Holloway, who outlined his criteria for signings this summer. “Today, everything is about how much they want to be here,” he said. “Then you have got people for the right reasons, not the wrong reasons. In this game, some people sign for clubs for the wrong reasons, and I am not going to have that here.” Holloway’s emphasis on creating a positive team dynamic and ensuring that players are committed to the club’s project is clear, and the signing of Ball suggests that Swindon Town are serious about challenging for promotion this season.
As the new season approaches, Swindon Town will be looking to build on their 12th-place finish last term. With the addition of Ball, Nichols, Oldaker, McGregor, and Glatzel, Holloway will be hoping to assemble a squad capable of pushing for a top-six finish. According to the Swindon Advertiser, Ball’s experience and physical presence will be key to the team’s success, and fans will be eager to see him in action as the season gets underway.
Source link
