Peterborough Northern Star boss confident his new-look team will confound the critics

Goodwin’s arrival in place of Steve Wilson in June was quickly followed by the departure of an entire squad.

But the new boss has been on a recruitment drive recently bringing mostly young players to the Branch Bros Stadium.

And he hopes to add some experience in the coming weeks as well as a couple of Posh youngsters courtesy of a former Coventry City teammate Gavin Strachan, the former Posh coach who now works at Celtic.

Goodwin managed higher-level Ilkeston Town last season, but he’s excited by his new venture.

“New owner Scott Steward called me and asked me to take over, but he was worried the level might be a bit low for me,” Goodwin, who is almost fully recovered from a serious illness, said.

“But I’m not bothered about the level. I’m excited about the task of starting from scratch and building a side that will improve as the season goes on.

“There was some fuss when we released all the players, but what wasn’t said at the time was that we knew all but about six were going to leave anyway so we thought we might as well start afresh.

“We’ve signed potential, but we ‘ve also signed players with plenty of experience at our level and there will be more to come.

“I see there have been some comments writing us off, but they don’t know some of the lads I have signed and they don’t see the potential in some of the younger players like I do.”

The dozen latest arrivals at Star are: Kelton Stringer, Jack Minchella, Charlie Minchella, Joe Bates, Ged O’Sullivan, Dan Mallerkey, Jack Clipston, Aiden Smith, George Warrington, Corey Gray an Mitch Simons.

Star had previously revealed goalkeeper Brad Jones, forward James Tricks and defender Callum Traynor had moved to the Branch Bros Stadium for the 2020-21 season.

Jack and Charlie Minchella were playing for Peterborough League Division Four side Stanground Sports last season, but Jones was on the books at Chesterfield as a youngster.

“I believe with the right coaching and plenty of hard work they will cope with the step up,” Goodwin added.

“Anywhay there will be plenty of experience around them. Callum Traynor has playing at this standard since he was 16 and he’s only 23 now.

“Young lads like Mitch Simons, George Warrington and Corey Grey have great potential and it’s my job to bring it out of them.

“It’s a part-time job I have, but it’s full-time commitment.

“That’s how I look at it and I believe the players will think the same.

“You can go a long with with the right attitude and work ethic.

“I’m confident we will surprise a few people.”

Star have a prestigious friendly on Saturday (August 8) when National League North Division side Kettering Town visit Chestnut Avenue (3pm).

Experienced defender Joe Braithwaite has now opted to join Premier Division rivals Holbeach United rather than Northern Star.