Youngsters sign contract for coming season

PROMISING youngsters Rob Magwood and Ross Dedman have signed contracts with St Albans City for the 2010/11 season.

The pair impressed after breaking into the first team squad at the tail end of last season with Dedman earning a trial spell at npower League One outfit Leyton Orient including a run-out for the Os’ reserves.

Magwood and Dedman are both successful graduates of the club’s Youth Academy at Oaklands College and were part of the St Albans City Youth team that reached the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup before bowing out on penalties to Wycombe Wanderers.

Midfielder Magwood made 13 starts for the first team last season while Dedman made eight starts in a variety of positions a versatility that could come in handy for the Saints during the 2010/11 season.

Boss Steve Castle is delighted to have secured their services for the coming season and believes it is good news for all concerned with the club.

“It’s very good news that they’ve signed on,” Castle told the Herts Advertiser.

“They’re tremendous lads who got a lot of football last season and it just stabilises everything.

“It’s good news for the club and for them because they know they will have a vital part to play at Conference South level.”

The deal also means the club will be compensated should teams higher up the pyramid take note of their development unlike last season when City lost Godfrey Poku and Jonathan O’Donnell to Blue Square Premier outfit Luton Town.

Because O’Donnell and Poku were non-contract players last season Luton were under no obligation to provide City with compensation for the two promising midfielders and they were allowed to leave for nothing.

“It was a bit of an issue last season and it was shame we had to let lads go,” added Castle.

“We’re certainly not in the market of getting in the way of lads bettering themselves but it would be nice if we’d been compensated.”

At such an early stage in their career the duo still have a lot to learn and Castle believes regular first team football can only help them progress.

“They’ve got a long way to go,” stressed Castle, “but it’s nice we’ve got their services.”

“Regular first team football will only enhance their reputations.”

The Saints boss remains confident that reigning Player of the Year Pete Smith will re-sign for the club but admits the deal may take a while to be completed because both parties are on holiday.

“I’m very hopeful Pete Smith will re-sign,” said Castle.

“He’s away at the moment and I’m away next week so we won’t be talking face-to-face but I’m very confident.

“I believe Pete has found a nice home at St Albans and I’m confident he will be here next year.”

n City will travel to Weston-super-Mare again next season after the Seagulls were given a repreive.

Salisbury City have been demoted from the Blue Square Premier into the Southern Premier League for failing to comply with the Conference Board’s rules regarding the repayment of creditors giving Weston the reprieve.

Salisbury’s demotion also means City will miss out on a trip to Forest Green Rovers with the small Gloucestershire side remaining in the Blue Square Premier at Salisbury’s expense.

The moves were confirmed at the annual Conference AGM which took place in Southport at the weekend.

The Blue Square South fixtures are due to be released on Monday, July 5.

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