Duo’s lift for County
COUNTY were provided with a huge boost to their ranks this week, as two members of the first team squad committed their futures to The Hatters by signing new deals to remain at Edgeley Park.
Just days after winger Adam Thomas signed an eighteen month extension to his deal, boss Jim Gannon secured the “massive” signing of talisman Matty Warburton to a deal running until the summer of 2019.
Thomas has endured a torrid run of injuries since joining the Hatters in July 2016, making just five appearances before a crucial ligament injury ruled the Liverpudlian out for nine months.
The former Hednesford Town attacker then missed the beginning of this campaign with a recurrence of the knee injury, before returning to establish himself as a regular under Gannon.
“As a wide right midfielder he offers a constant threat, great crossing from both open play and set plays, along with a good goal scoring record from the wing. In recent weeks he has shown his versatility playing from deeper which has highlighted his great team ethic,” Gannon said. “It was an easy decision to extend Adam’s contract as he has all the attributes we look for in the players we want to work with going forward over the coming years. He is very professional, and this has shown in that he has been the most regular daytime trainer at the club, having not missed a single morning. He has both the appetite and opportunity to train more regular in the coming years, as he still has the drive to be a full-time professional at a higher level in the future.”
Meanwhile, number ten Warburton penned an extension to his current deal which expired this summer, with the signing proving a boost to Gannon after much talk of interest from fellow National League North sides in the former Curzon striker.
Warburton has taken to life at Edgeley Park superbly since Gannon made him his first signing of the summer in a oneyear deal from Curzon Ashton, and the striker has gone onto score sixteen in just 28 appearances for The Hatters despite a number of niggling injuries.
And Gannon admitted that both Warburton and Thomas were a rarity in his squad, as two attacking players who “need very little coaching” as The Hatters look to push on into the play-off places.
“I think Matty’s goal scoring record in recent years speaks for itself and he has continued that within the current season, and he is well on track to have his most productive season in terms of goals. But Matty also brings much more, with an attacking drive and quality that will ensure a very good contribution to our movement up the pitch into attacking areas, and assisting in goals from attacking passes, crosses and set plays.
“Matty is a significant signing in terms of our new training system as our developing training programme allows for the best quality part-time players to be retained for this season and into next season. We have few fears about the levels of Matty’s athletic and technical qualities and, along with a good strength programme; we feel that his level of work will be sufficient for him to continue to perform at a high level as we move forward.”
The two reacquisitions come amidst reports that further players are set to re-sign with the Hatters, including goalkeepers Ben Hinchliffe and Ian Ormson along with midfielder Gary Stopforth.
And the Hatters chief was quick to point to Warburton and Thomas’ signings as signs of the “growing professionalism” at the club as County move ever closer to a return to full-time status.
“Adam and Matty now join Darren Stephenson, Jimmy Ball, Sam Minihan and Dan Cowan, along with young attackers Adam Etches and Szymon Czubik, in having committed to the growing professional training and playing structures at the club that includes morning training sessions.
“I’m delighted with the work done this last week and look forward to working with the group.”