Graeme Welch says his focus is on continuing to develop a strong unit of fast bowlers who will all have the capability of being consistent match winners for Derbyshire.
Mark Footitt has agreed a four-year deal with Surrey that will see him leave the Club after spending five years at the county.
Welch’s attention now turns to life after Footitt and believes the focus will now be on continuing the work from the last two years and developing a balanced bowling line-up with seamers who can all claim wickets regularly.
The Club has already signed tall fast bowler Andy Carter from Nottinghamshire, who has claimed 91 wickets at an average of 27 in 29 first-class fixtures, and all-rounder Tom Milnes from Warwickshire as the county look to reinforce their line-up for 2016.
Welch says the Club will continue to search for potential signings ahead of the new season while working with the Club’s crop of talented fast bowlers.
“We of course would have liked Mark to stay, but our attention is continuing our work with the current unit of fast bowlers while actively looking to strengthen our squad further,” Elite Performance Director Welch said.
“There was always a chance that Mark might leave, that is why we had already brought in Andy Carter, who has played at the highest level and taken regular wickets in Division One. We’ve also already signed Tom Milnes, again another bowler with Division One experience who has much to give.
“With the new additions, we will continue to build a bowling unit in which each player will have the opportunity and the capability of claiming 40 plus wickets a season.
“When I joined the Club I said there was a lot of talent and we’ve seen evidence of the lads improving over the last two years. They’ve had time to gain experience and improve their skills, and they’ll now have the chance to step up next summer.
“It was a difficult season this year, but they have all learned a lot and as a coaching team we hope to see more improvements made for 2016.”
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