Port star Rutherford heading to Dragons
SOUTHPORT FC’s 2015-16 Player of the Year, Paul Rutherford, has made the switch to Wrexham after making 40 appearances for the Sandgrounders in his final season.
The experienced midfielder has joined the Welsh club on a one-year deal after enjoying two successful years at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.
The 28 year-old made 91 league appearances for the Port, who finished 16th in the National League.
After his contract ran out, he’s now opted to move to Wrexham, who finished last season in eighth place.
After picking up the Player of the Year award, Rutherford thanked fans and stated he was enjoying his time with Southport.
“I really like being at the club and I’ve had a great time here.
“The fans stuck by me after my first season when I played about 20 minutes and they were all terrible!
“I came back with a clean slate in my second season and from there I’ve really enjoyed my time with the club.”
However, despite enjoying his final season at Southport, the midfielder admitted he ‘couldn’t pass up the opportunity’ to join Wrexham and is excited about the new challenge.
“I’m really excited about joining Wrexham and can’t wait for the season to start.
“They tick all the boxes for me and I’m impressed with the way they play.
“Wrexham have got the fan base, the history and the facilities to impress anyone.”
“I’d never say a bad word about Southport, I’ve enjoyed my time there, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to join a club like Wrexham.”
Rutherford also admitted he was looking forward to competing at the other end of the table after Southport struggled in the bottom half of the National League last year and hopes he can score more goals.
“I’m looking forward to competing at the top end of the table next season and I’m 100 per cent sure Wrexham can push for promotion next season.
“I’m more of a creative midfielder than a goal-scorer but I’ll certainly be looking to add goals to my game next season.”
The former Chester and Liverpool academy player will be missed by the Sandgrounders, who have already brought in several new players in recent weeks.
The club wished Rutherford good luck and thanked him for his services, adding he was ‘an excellent club ambassador and great servant at Southport.’
Southport manager Andy Bishop has been working tirelessly in the last few weeks to bring in new signings and his most recent ones have come from Rutherford’s new club, Wrexham.
Ross White, a young defender with previous international experience and midfielder, Jonathan Royle have been recruited.
Rutherford’s new club will be hoping to push for promotion this season and the Dragons boss, Gary Mills, believes the fans will be pleased with his latest signing.
“He’s a really exciting player who has been on my radar for a while.
“He has a lot of good qualities and our style of play will suit him down to the ground.
“His pace and the way he takes on defenders will make the fans happy.
“He needs to add two or three more goals to his play, but the way we play he will achieve that.
“I’m confident the fans will take to him very quickly.”