New loan defender Miles Addison admits Scunthorpe’s manager and his reputation was a big lure in bringing him to Glanford Park.
The formalities of Miles Addison’s loan move from Bournemouth were completed on Monday and he completed his first training session on the same day, before making his debut for the club against Frickley a day later.He arrives in North Lincolnshire on an initial one-month loan deal, starting on August 8, and the defender admits the opportunity to link-up with Russ Wilcox once again was one too good to be missed.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Addison told The Iron Player after the 1-0 win at Frickley.
“I’ve been living down south and I’m originally from Derby so it’s nice to come back up north and that was something I was looking for.
“I jumped at the chance to work with Russ Wilcox again - he signed me originally at Bournemouth and I know what exactly what he is about. He is the main reason I am here to be honest.”
Wilcox was assistant to Lee Bradbury at Bournemouth from 2011 and Addison joined the South Coast club a year later.
“I first heard about the move early last week,” Addison said of the move.
“It came about because the assistant at Bournemouth called me and told me of Scunthorpe’s enquiry. I didn’t know if it was permanent or a loan and it was the latter and I’m just happy to be here.”
With David Mirfin a confirmed casualty for the start of the new campaign, Addison has been brought in as cover, although he knows his position is not a given, as he battles the likes of Luke Waterfall and Andrew Boyce for a starting place.
He said: “It’s going to be tough to get into the team after the highs of last season but I’ve come here to play games, for Russ Wilcox and for Scunthorpe United Football Club. I want to play and I want to win.
“I’ve only trained and played with the squad once but there’s some good signs.
“It was the first session yesterday and it’s a good group here. I’m still getting to know my surroundings, the team and the ins and outs of the club and hopefully I’ll be able to settle in and get into the rhythm of playing with the team.”
Settling into a club is always made easier by familiar faces and the former Derby, Barnsley, Rotherham and current Cherries defender knows a couple of members of the Iron squad already and he can’t wait to build up a rapport with the rest.
“I know Lyle (Taylor) from Bournemouth and I came through the academy with James (Severn) at Derby. It makes it easier to settle," he said.
“Lyle’s been good but James has been injured so he hasn’t been around in the days I’ve been here but all the boys have been great to be fair. We’re all adults and they know what it’s like to settle in. I just need games to get a rhythm with them on the pitch.
“We’ve got to get the Leicester friendly out of the way then we go to Swindon to start the season. It’s going to be a tough opening match but I think everyone’s just raring to go.”
See much more from Miles Addison, and others, on The Iron Player.