Notts County have completed the signing of Stockport County’s Connor Lemonheigh-Evans on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Similar to fellow new recruit Jodi Jones, Lemonheigh-Evans is a familiar name to supporters after scoring a hat-trick for Torquay United last season and emerging as one of the most sought-after players in the National League.
And Magpies coach Luke Williams, who worked with the Welshman at Bristol City, is delighted the club have added him to the ranks.
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“It’s a happy coincidence for me that a player like Connor has been suggested to me by the recruitment team so favourably,” said Williams.
“Although he spent a lot of time out on loan, I obviously got to know Connor very well at Bristol City.
“He was versatile, tough, excellent with the ball and, wherever he played, he could score. I have so many good memories of his performances in training and in games.
“One of the first conversations I had with him was to tell him I thought he was a League One-quality player. I’d just been working at that level with Swindon and instantly thought Connor and a couple of other guys, Aden Baldwin included, could have held their own at that level with the right management, even though they were just teenagers. I’d be amazed if he doesn’t go on to do that.”
Williams believes one of Lemonheigh-Evans’ key attributes is his fiery, competitive spirit.
“I went to watch Connor’s senior debut for Bristol City against Watford in the FA Cup,” said the Notts boss. “Watford had a strong, Premier League side led by Troy Deeney and Connor was very, very good.
“Shortly after that he went on loan to Torquay, winning the National League South, and, as Notts fans know, he was then a crucial part of a team pushing for promotion from the National League, being named in the Team of the Year before getting his move to the EFL.
“You can only do that if you have that competitive nature and I think he’ll fit in with the guys here, so many of whom are tough competitors – winners who can perform over and over again.
“Hopefully he’ll recognise that he’s among the same type of guys once he settles in.”
Lemonheigh-Evans has made 19 appearances in League Two this season and, while he will no doubt have wanted more game-time, Williams believes the 26-year-old will arrive here with a positive mindset.
“Knowing Connor, he won’t need much in terms of confidence-building as he knows his own quality,” said the Notts chief.
“He’ll understand that sometimes it’s just the way football goes – you can be recognised as a very good player somewhere, as I’m sure he is at Stockport, but just not fit in at that moment.
“We’re on a very good run so he’ll know it would be unrealistic for him to walk straight into the team, but it’s clear that he’ll have lots of opportunities to play here.
“We don’t have a huge squad, we play ferociously and there are a lot of big games coming up so he’s going to be on the pitch a lot.
“It’s my job to ensure his minutes come at the right time for him and the club. I also need to help him understand the different positions and roles in the same way as Jodi and John, who have already played about four positions each, have had to.
“He needs to get up to speed in that sense – but he will do very quickly because he’s bright.”
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