By Hutchy
February 1 2005

January saw Peter Taylor boost his promotion chasing squad by bringing in winger Kevin Ellison from Chester for £100k, ex Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler (on loan) and Robbie Stockdale on a free from Rotherham, read on...

Kevin Ellison
Peter Taylors first signing this year was forced by the injury to leading scorer Stuart Elliott. Sidelined by a fractured cheekbone the left wingers absence highlighted a shortage of natural left-sided attacking players in the squad and Taylor acted fast to capture Kevin Ellison from Chester City for a fee of £100k. Ellison who has been in a rich vein of form this season scoring 11 goals for the Cheshire club, was plucked out of non-league football by then Leicester manager Taylor whilst playing for Altrincham. He left the foxes for Stockport where he played with City strikers Ben Burgess and Aaron Wilbraham. After 3 seasons at Edgley Park, Ellison signed for Chester in summer of 2004.

Hutchy says: Ellison’s a strong midfielder who works hard up and down the wing, it remains to be seen whether he has enough ability to keep Elliott out of the team when he returns from injury, but the competition can only be good for the squad as a whole. The only way I see the two being accommodated in the same team would be to move Elliott into a strikers position. However Elliott himself has said he doesn’t relish playing with his back to goal, and though good in the air I believe he is at his best when cutting in and running at defenders or arriving late into the box to score.

Andy Hessenthaler
Another One of Taylor’s ex-players signed during January - Andy Hessenthaler arrived on a 3 month loan deal. The 38 year-old former Gillingham manager is a player Taylor has brought in to add some much needed experience to his promotion chasing squad. He’s a player Taylor knows well having served as a player-coach under his rein at the Gills and he’s hoping ‘Hess’ can help the midfield out through his work-rate and organizational skills.

Hutchy says: Hess could prove to be a key man on and off the field in the run-in to the season. Obviously he’s been there and done that and although getting on for the big four O, according to Taylor, he is not lacking in fitness - A good pro who can steady the ship when young heads are losing theirs.

Robbie Stockdale
The right-back slot has proved to be a problem this season for the Tigers. First choice Alton Thelwell has been struggling with various injuries leaving Marc Joseph, Richard Hinds, youngster Scott Wiseman and lately loanee Stev Angus to fill the position. Peter Taylor has addressed this by signing Robbie Stockdale on a free from Championship strugglers Rotherham. Stockdale, who surprisingly has 5 full Scotland Caps, came through the ranks of his local team Middlesbrough before joining the Millers in Feb 2004.

Hutchy says: A surprise signing, lets hope Stockdale can settle in quickly and establish himself in the right back role which has previously been filled competently but not spectacularly by center back Marc Joseph.