Rob Magwood and Ross Dedman Sign Contracts

[Daedalus]

Ross and Rob Sign Up

The Club are pleased to announce that both Ross Dedman and Rob Magwood have signed contracts for the coming season.
17 year-old Dedman and 18 year-old Magwood, who are both products of the St Albans City Academy at Oaklands College, broke through into the first team at the latter end of last season and impressed everyone as they adapted so quickly to senior football. We wish them well as they set out on their football careers.

[Daedalus]

Two youngsters who I have enjoyed watching emerge at Clarence Park, as I'm sure we all have!

Both were, of course, a really important part of our youth side who had that great run in the FA Youth Cup.

Ross Dedman came through into the first-team towards the end of the season making 14 apps overall. He made some really excellent performances, playing mostly at fullback, and a few times at wingback when we briefly flirted with 3-5-2 at the end of the season. Steve Castle suggests that his natural position is probably in midfield though. I'd be interested to see how he does if he gets a chance in the midfield next season. I thought Ross looked very composed on the ball and technically good.

Rob Magwood really came into the first-team in March, although he was on the bench quite a lot in late 2009 and early 2010. He also made 14 apps overall. A tenacious ball-winning midfielder, he made the number 4 shirt his own after Godfrey Poku left for Luton Town. A hard-working and committed player, he is going to be a popular player with Saints fans, I think.

It's good news to hear that we can look forward to watching them both progress further next season. I'm sure they both have potential to go far.

No details on the contracts though regarding length and who is paying for it? Is this the Trust's initiative or has it come from the board?

And as we have signed up two players for next season, does this therefore mean that the transfer embargo has been removed and that the board have finally paid that outstanding tax bill?

[Saint]

I suspect the length is just 1 year, seeing as it says they have signed on for next season.

But it is very good news, they have both played well and have agreat future ahead of them, I'm suprised though that neither of them were snapped up by a team in a higher league as it was rumoured both had trials with other teams.
I expect this to be there last season at this level, I supsect they will move on next year with 1 more seasons experience at this level, hopefully if we have a bid for them in January we will get a decent price for them seeing as they are on contracts, un-like the JJ and Poku situation last season.

[Daedalus]

Yes, I think a year is most likely Saint.

Pretty sure Ross Dedman is doing some training during pre-season with Leyton Orient, isn't he? Good experience for him if it is still going ahead.

[bovysaint]

Very good news

[Hatboy]

It's a promising start to the squad for the coming season

[Daedalus]

Jun 9, 2010 19:05:09 GMT Hatboy said:

It's a promising start to the squad for the coming season

Definitely.

What chance of getting Peter Smith to follow next? No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/crossfingers.gif

[Daedalus]

Castle's thoughts on Magwood and Dedman signing contracts here - www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/8219288.Saints_boss_delighted_after_duo_agree_new_deals/?ref=rss

Good article by Simon Mail.

Dedman, 17, played in the back four during last season but ended the campaign in the centre of midfield. The versatile youngster has had previous spells in the youth set-up at Stevenage Borough and Hitchin Town.

Magwood, 18, made his debut for City in November and the tenacious midfielder skippered the youth team through five rounds of the FA Youth Cup last season.

Saints boss Castle said: "They are excellent lads that have shown a great attitude and I would like to think we will have some part in a very good career for them.

"It is fantastic news for the club. Already they have both attracted interest from league clubs. They are playing Conference South football and should do very well.

"Ross is very versatile. He sees himself as a central midfielder but he is a very good defender as well. With the skeleton squad we are going to have, they will have to adapt and play in a number of different positions. They will get a number of positions under their belts which only bodes well for the future.

"We're not going to have a massive squad again and they will be part of it. They are not signed for the future, they are signed for now and it will keep them in the shop window."

Castle also talks about bringing in a striker:

Castle hopes to bring in a striker this summer because he faces the prospect of being without Paul Hakim and Gary Cohen but he remains tight-lipped on potential arrivals.

He said: "There are two or three people we're looking at. More than likely they will be people released from football clubs who have had trials at bigger clubs."

Read the full article by clicking the link above.