Keeper's arrival kicks off business

Ilkeston FC boss Kevin Wilson made talented young keeper Rob Peet the first of his summer signings at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club on Tuesday, writes Terry Bowles.

The Melton Mowbray-born stopper, 20, was with Hinckley United last season and Wilson believes he has the potential to make a significant impact in the Evo-Stik NPL's Premier Division come August.

A former Leicester City trainee, Peet then joined Grimsby Town where he figured regularly in their reserves and youth team and showed enough promise to earn an invite to go on trial with both Manchester United and Leeds United.

It was a major surprise when the 6ft 3in goalkeeper was released by Grimsby but it didn't take long for him to find a new club as he crossed the Humber Bridge to sign for Hull City. He figured on a couple of occasions as a substitute at first-team level for the then Championship club and appeared to be making good progress - but again surprisingly found himself released.

Wilson, pictured, said: "Rob has had to contend with some disappointments in his short career but we are offering him the chance to put all that behind him. Although we've had a number of goalkeepers who have done well for us, it's a fact that we have used too many people in that position in the past couple of seasons.

"Ideally I would like someone to make that spot their own next season and Rob will get the chance to do that. Although he is still at the potential stage, I think he has all the attributes to develop into a very good goalkeeper."

Wilson insists, however, that the arrival of Peet at the New Manor Ground will not mean the end of the line for Scott Low or Ryan Swift. On the contrary, the Robins manager believes he now has three talented young keepers to create fierce competition for places.

He added: "It could be that 'Swifty' will go out on loan for much of next season to gain as much experience as he can and I'll be looking for Scott to prove that he really should be our No. 1. It's a really healthy situation for us as a club to have competition of this type and I'm looking forward to seeing how they respond to the challenge."