Former Lincoln City academy product Cenk Acar, has joined Corby Town as part of a significant mid-season rebuild aimed at sustaining a late push towards the Northern Premier League Midlands Division play-offs.
The attacking player joins another City academy graduate, Leon Mettam, who assumed temporary control of the Steelmen over Christmas. Acar moves from Skegness Town, adding pace and creativity to a Corby squad that remains firmly in the promotion conversation despite recent upheaval behind the scenes. With Corby currently sitting eighth in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, just three points off the play-off places, the timing of Acar’s arrival reflects a clear intent to regroup quickly and attack the second half of the campaign.
Acar may be a familiar name to City fans, as he was squad number 19 in the 2016/17 National League season. A Lincoln lad, he came through the academy at Sincil Bank, signing his first professional contract in 2016 after impressing at youth level. Acar and Mettam came through at the Bank in different eras, but the two were teammates at Spalding United, when Mettam added ‘star quality’ alongside Acar, who had not long been released by the Imps.
His move to Corby represents both a fresh chapter personally and a potentially important addition for a side with realistic play-off ambitions. Interim boss Mettam has moved swiftly to reshape his squad following recent budget-driven departures, and Acar is one of eight new arrivals tasked with injecting momentum back into the Steelmen’s season.
From a Corby perspective, the numbers underline why optimism remains justified. With 37 points from 24 matches, the Steelmen are within touching distance of the top five, in a division where small runs of form can dramatically reshape the table. The congestion above them means consistency rather than perfection is likely to be enough to keep Corby firmly in the promotion mix.
Corby add seven more
Alongside Acar, Corby Town have added further depth and balance across the pitch as they look to stay firmly in the play-off hunt. Goalkeeper Theo Avery arrives on a one-month loan from Northampton Town, with the 19-year-old keen to gain senior minutes after featuring in matchday squads at Sixfields earlier this season. Fellow Cobblers youngster Fran Obiagwu also joins on loan, a striker who made club history last season as Northampton’s youngest ever player and who already has experience of the division, having previously featured against Corby during an NFA Senior Cup tie.
Defensively, Corby have secured the return of Sam Warburton, extending a short-term arrangement after the centre-back impressed during recent appearances. He is joined by Brad Gothard, who signs permanently from St Neots Town, adding further solidity at the back, while Abdul Koroma returns to Steel Park after a spell away from the game. Koroma is a familiar figure locally, with previous spells at Shepshed Dynamo, Spalding United and AFC Rushden and Diamonds, and offers physicality and experience at Step 4 level.
Further forward, Corby have strengthened their attacking options with the addition of Matteo Perkins, a well-travelled non-league forward who has turned out for clubs including Eynesbury Rovers, Wisbech Town and Shepshed Dynamo. Midfield reinforcement comes in the shape of James Matthews, who joins from AFC Mansfield. An international-level triathlete as well as a footballer, Matthews brings athleticism and engine-room energy, having previously played for sides such as Mickleover, Carlton Town and Frickley Athletic.
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