NEW Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Kenny Arthur is a big piece in manager John Coleman's jigsaw for the hoped for League Two promotion push next season.

Since long servant Jamie Speare left the club in 2004, goalkeepers have come and gone and Scotsman Arthur is No 17 to go between the sticks since then.

But Coleman hopes he has finally found the perfect combination with Ian Dunbavin and the 28-year-old battling for the No 1 spot.

Arthur signed a one-year deal this week after enjoying a testimonial year with his one and only club Partick Thistle last season where he is highly thought of by the fans.

"He has a great pedigree and has a lot of experience," said Coleman.

"In the last few years we have had young lads with Stuart Jones being the last keeper of any age. Kenny has experience at international level with Scotland and has the desire and fits the bill.

"It is a hard time at the moment dealing with agents and things so it was refreshing that Kenny did not take long to negotiate. His mind was made up.

"It was a big move for him after being at one club for so long but he wanted a new challenge.

"Now we have three keepers in Kenny, Bavs and Martin Fearon has signed up and we should be in a healthy position, touch wood, but you never know with us. We have cover in depth, though."

Arthur admitted the lure of playing in the Football League was too much to turn down. He first came to Coleman's eye in a pre-season friendly last season where he pulled off some superb saves in a 1-0 win over Accrington.

"He had an absolute stormer against us," admitted the Reds boss. "You don't judge people on one game but I have monitored his progress ever since."

And the goalie admitted: "Ever since the friendly I have had a soft spot for Accrington and followed their progress.

"I was impressed with the set up, the style of football and you get a feel for the club.

"I sent in a CV as I have always wanted to play in the Football League and it has gone on from there. I have played in the Scottish Premier League but it has been an ambition to play in England and I am really looking forward to it."

He has been with the Jags since he was 13 with 280 first team appearances - more than 70 in the Premier League - and has been in the Scotland international squad and has a Scottish B cap.

"In your career, you just get a feeling the time is right for a move," said Arthur. "I have been at Partick for 15 years and it is a long time. I am now ready for a new challenge and am really enthusiastic about it and trying something new."

He admits his knowledge of League Two is limited to Sky television.

"I don't know a lot about it apart from seeing the goals and the play-offs on television but I can't wait for the pre-season.

"I have heard Ian Dunbavin has re-signed and I'm sure we will get along fine being part of the goalkeepers union!"

After snapping up Arthur, striker John Miles and midfielder Paul Carden, Coleman says there is more to come.

"I think we need another four players. I am hoping to speak to a centre half this week and I might speak to John McCombe, who has been released from Huddersfield.

"There are still a few areas we need to strengthen and I have been in touch with a striker from League Two who has a year left on his contract but we can get for free.

"I think four players would push us in the right direction at the moment and take us up to 18 or 19 players and then there will be the odd one or two signed up in pre-season."

Leam Richardson and David Brown have now agreed one-year deals while Danny Ventre, midfielder Tony Grant and striker Andy Mangan have been released.

Coleman also confirmed that, although he has missed out on Liverpool keeper David Martin, there is still the possibility of bringing defender Godwin Antwi back on loan.

"Liverpool have said no to David Martin but not to Godwin and I expect to know more this week," said Coleman.

The Reds chief was also hoping to sign a goalkeeping coach.

Meanwhile, new signing Miles may be best mates with Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh but it was Coleman who persuaded him to link up with the Reds.

The 25-year-old has signed on a two year deal from League Two rivals Macclesfield and admitted he felt the time was right to make a move.

The former Liverpool trainee said: "I had been at Macclesfield for four years and I wanted to make a fresh start.

"Under the old management, I was in and out of the side and I owe manager Paul Ince a lot as he has given me a chance and let me play in the side.

"That's when John Coleman saw me when he was scouting before Macclesfield and Accrington played each other. I was interested in coming to Accrington and then John phoned me a couple of weeks ago and I had no hesitation.

"It wasn't hard to leave Macclesfield. I did really enjoy it towards the end of the season but I don't think Paul Ince will be there long.

"He is linked with every job going and it is probably only a matter of time before he goes and he has wished me all the best."

He admitted that being at Macclesfield last season as they fought relegation was hard.

"I wasn't in the side much and then Paul came in and I got my chance. We were out of it at one point and really had nothing to lose but then we put a run together and went around five points clear.

"We thought we were safe but then got dragged back into it. I don't want to be in a side that goes through that again, it was really hard.

"I was surprised that Accrington were involved in a relegation battle as teams coming up from the Conference tend to do well but they did lose Ian Craney and Gary Roberts which can't have helped. I know Accrington don't want to go through the same again and they are ambitious.

"I guess everyone aims for promotion at the start of the season and I just want to play regularly and enjoy my football."

From Liverpool, Miles has had spells at Stoke and Crewe before landing at Mose Rose in 2003.

"In my first season there, I scored eight goals in 25 games and last season I scored five goals in the last eight games.

"If I am playing regularly, I obviously want to get more.

"I am really looking forward to the season now - it is always strange going to a new club but hopefully Cav will look after me."

  • STANLEY have organised several pre-season friendlies

Following their game at home to Burnley on 14 July, they will then tour Scotland. The face Brechin on Tuesday 24 July; Arbroath on 26 July and, on Saturday 28 July, they will play East Fife. They will travel to Witton Albion on Tuesday 31 July and Rossendale United on Saturday 4 August.