Beale backs defender Dan to tackle pro challenge

BIRMINGHAM City’s development coach Richard Beale has spoken of his delight at landing defender Dan Scarr from non-League Stourbridge.

Scarr, 22 (pictured), signed on a two-and-a-halfyear deal after initially training with Blues and has been watched from afar by Beale for a number of years.

Beale is confident that, over the course of time, Scarr can become a firstteam player for the club.

“Dan is a commanding centre-back who is an organiser and a leader and reads the game very well and is dominant in the air,” said Beale.

“I have watched him develop in local and nonLeague football over a number of years and he’s really come to the fore this year and I thought if we could get him for a decent deal then he’d be worth a punt on.

“Leadership qualities like he has are hard to find these days and on top of that he can play and he’s composed on the ball. We’re hoping to knock some of the rough edges off him and turn him into a potential first-team player down the line.”

Blues have also snapped up Logan Kwiecen and Olly McCoy from non-League Beaconsfield SYCOB on Beale’s watch.

“Logan is still scholarship age and was signed on a sixmonth contract to see if he can develop and improve in a short space of time for us to want to extend his contract,” he added.

“We just thought he had certain qualities as a rightback. He’s very good going forward, is a good crosser of the ball and has pace.

“Olly was signed on an 18-month deal and is a pacy and direct right-winger who commits defenders and delivers crosses into the box with quality and is very athletic.”