Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley says he couldn’t consider not having Matty Fry in the heart of his team’s back line – so it’s a good job that the former Charlton Athletic defender has joined the Iron.

Fry has become the second signing made by Cowley since he took the helm at Braintree as he looks to strengthen his defensive options following the departure of Alan Massey to link up with former boss Alan Devonshire at Maidenhead United.

Cowley said he is delighted to have Fry on board as he joins striker Michael Cheek as new additions ahead of the start of the Vanarama National League campaign in August and feels his attributes are exactly what will be needed.

The former Concord Rangers manager said: “Matty is quick, he reads the game well and he has an ability to see danger and to put fires out.

“He has been an integral part if what we achieved at Concord and I can’t think of organising my defence without his influence.”

See this week's paper for the full version of our interview with Danny Cowley and his thoughts about his new defensive signing.