CLARETS STILL HOT TO TROTT

Liam’s replacements can fire City

- John Lyons

ROBBIE Simpson is hoping the arrival of former Football League men Anthony Wordsworth and Samir Carruthers can offset the loss of Liam Trotter as Chelmsford City gear up for ‘the toughest National League South ever’.

Former Millwall and Bolton midfielder Trotter enjoyed a sparkling season with the Clarets as they ruffled a few feathers by reaching the play-offs last term. But the 34-year-old then called time on his career, leaving a big hole to fill in the Chelmsford engine room.

However, Simpson believes he has done everything he can to replace Trotter’s contribution by bringing in Wordsworth, 34, and Carruthers, 30. The former has bags of EFL experience from his days with the likes of Colchester United and Southend United, and was most recently with Enfield Town.

Carruthers featured for MK Dons and Sheffield United, among others, before stepping into NonLeague with Hemel Hempstead Town and Dartford.

“Liam was our player of the season and such a big influence on and off the pitch,” Simpson told The NLP. “He calmed everything down and brought that bit of composure in the middle of the park.

Balance