Another familiar face was added to the ranks on Tuesday afternoon as midfielder Alfie McCalmont returned to Brunton Park to put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.
Speaking about his second summer capture, manager Paul Simpson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to get this over the line ... eventually.
“He’s a player who I think has got some development to come, so I’m pleased we’ve got him in. He showed us the ability he’s got last year as well as the sort of character he is, and they’re the type of people we want here.”
“He’s a technical footballer with good energy about him, and I think we can be the next stage of his development,” he continued. “He’s by no means the finished article and we’re hoping that during the next few years while he’s with us he progresses even more and becomes a really valuable asset to us.
“He’s come in and was patient last year, then took his chance when he was given it. He also reacted in the right way when he then got left out of it.
“That’s why he ended up finishing the season playing at Wembley and playing a real major part in it. The challenge for him and for us now is for him to come and step up even more and be an even bigger part for us.”
On the thinking behind the first two arrivals, he commented: “We’re trying to get players who have got potential for growth to mix in with the senior players we’ve already got, and we’re also looking to bring more senior players in.
“I’m pleased that we’ve done both of these and, in Alfie’s case, we’ve been talking to him for probably five or six weeks.
“They don’t just happen quickly, it takes time, and that’s why everybody has to just be patient and hope we get the right bodies in.”