Callum Glen returns to US Portsmouth to boost Wessex League promotion push

Returning Callum Glen provides US Portsmouth with the 'experience and additional quality' needed to sustain their Wessex League Division 1 title push.
By Lewis Mason
Published 14th Feb 2020, 12:35 GMT
Updated 14th Feb 2020, 12:37 GMT
Callum Glen, right, in action for Baffins Milton at AFC Portchester earlier this month. Picture: Vernon NashCallum Glen, right, in action for Baffins Milton at AFC Portchester earlier this month. Picture: Vernon Nash
Callum Glen, right, in action for Baffins Milton at AFC Portchester earlier this month. Picture: Vernon Nash

That's the view of manager Glenn Turnbull after completing a deal for the versatile player to come back to Burnaby Road.

Glen departed USP to join Wessex League Premier Division Baffins Milton Rovers back in the summer.

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He has featured 25 times for Steve Leigh's side but has now returned to USP as they push for the title.

Although admitting he was not actively seeking to strengthen for the run-in, Turnbull saw this as too good of an opportunity to turn down.

He feels Glen's higher level experience could be crucial as the leaders look to secure the club’s first-ever promotion to the Wessex top tier.

‘Callum can pretty much play anywhere,' said Turnbull.

‘I think he was playing centre-half for Baffins a little bit, but I see him more as a centre midfielder.

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‘We’ve already got four central midfielders so he was always going to be one of our targets in the summer should we be fortunate enough to go up.

‘It’s presented itself now, so it means we’ve got five or six players in that position of Wessex Premier standard players.

‘We’re blessed really and were not too far away from that at centre half.

‘He’d do well to come in to push anyone out in that position as well.

‘He brings a bit of experience and additional quality.

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‘We pretty much said we weren’t looking to sign anyone else unless they were going to improve us.

‘We all think Callum does that, but more with an eye on next season.'

Glen has also dual-signed with Southern League South Division side Moneyfields.

He was an unused sub in Moneys' 0-0 home draw with Mangotsfield at Dover Road in midweek.

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But Turnbull is hoping to have Glen available to him for the majority of the run-in.

‘As soon as we knew he was potentially available, we went in for him,' added Turnbull.

‘Fair play, Steve Leigh (Baffins manager) has been fantastic.

‘Monyefields threw a spanner in the works by signing him on Tuesday.

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‘I’m not sure of the situation. Where Moneys are at the moment, I think they needed a bit of cover.

‘We have already got a relationship with Moneys because we’ve got a similar deal with (goalkeeper) Max Flintoft.

‘But Max is more of a Moneyfields player than ours, but we’re hoping it’s the reverse with Callum.'

US Portsmouth are three points clear of Bemerton in top spot and travel to 16th-placed Fawley this weekend.

Related topics:Glenn TurnbullCallum GlenUSPPortsmouthMoneyfields