Jim’s playing for keeps at County
Gannon looking to hold onto majority of title-winning Hatters squad... but Cobblers swoop for Warburton
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon began preparations for life in the National League this week, tying down a number of his title-winning squad to extended deals at Edgeley Park.
However, one of the jewels in the crown has already been snapped up by Football League opposition, top scorer Matty Warburton signing for Northampton Town.
But as the dust settles on The Hatters’ National League North title success, Gannon moved quickly to secure no fewer than four contract extensions amongst his side.
Key men Ben Hinchliffe, Adam Thomas and the Players’ Player of the Year Sam Walker all penned one-year deals to boost County’s first season back in the National League in six years, whilst full-back Sam
Minihan put pen to paper on Tuesday afternoon as the Express went to print.
Hinchliffe, Thomas and Minihan will now all take part in their fourth campaign with The Hatters after the trio all joined in the summer of 2016 - Gannon’s first full season back with the club.
Meanwhile, the new deal for the evergreen Walker completes a remarkable comeback story for the former Salford man, who endured a torrid first campaign at Edgeley Park last year - struggling with fitness, injuries and inconsistent form, before being loaned out to former club Curzon Ashton.
But with many supporters doubting whether Walker would have any future at the club upon his return from Curzon Ashton in the summer, Gannon kept faith in his experienced midfielder - and the 32 year-old went on to become almost an ever-present for County in their superb season.
The quartet join Ian Ormson, Connor Dimaio, Elliot Osborne, Jake Kirby and Frank Mulhern in signing up for the coming campaign as Gannon looks to keep hold of the majority of his National League North champions.
Illustrating Gannon’s belief in his side to compete at the level above, only youngster Adam Etches has been let go by the club, with new deals offered to no fewer than seven out of contract players.
A statement by The Hatters confirmed that Dan Cowan, Scott Duxbury, Ash Palmer, Paul Turnbull, Jordan Keane, Matty Warburton and Nyal Bell have all received written offers from the club to extend their stays at Edgeley Park.
And, whilst there is a belief around the club that Scott Duxbury may be difficult to retain, Gannon appears confident of holding on to many of the squad which guided County to a first title win in 52 years.
Interest continues to grow in former Curzon Ashton man Warburton, who led The Hatters’ scoring charts with 27 goals in all competitions last season - with League Two outfit Northampton Town amongst the front-runners to secure the attacker’s signature.
Gannon - who revealed that discussions will take place regarding the future of winger Darren Stephenson upon the Jamaican’s return from a family holiday - is also seeking to secure deals for youngsters Szymon Czubik, Festus Arthur and Jordan Downing.
The club reacted to the growing talk around Warburton’s future, meanwhile, with an emphatic show of confidence in their talented manager and his ranks.
“We know that a number of our out-of-contract players will attract interest and we may not be able to retain all of last season’s successful team, but the number of offers to the players within the group highlights both the progress of the players and the manager’s belief in them, as individuals and as a team, to represent the club very well again next season,” read a club statement.
“This loyalty and belief is well-founded as the team have shown last season in matches against higher level teams that they have the organisation, quality and professionalism to compete effectively with even the best in the National League.”
Clarifying talk around the club’s potential shift back to full-time status following promotion back into national football, the club added that a “respectful balance of both part-time and full-time players” will be maintained, as Gannon continues with a “proven” hybrid model at Edgeley Park.
In a stunning season, The Hatters swept aside then-League Two Yeovil Town 3-1 away from home, along with thumping away wins at Maidstone and Harrogate Town both of the National League - and the club will be again looking to the iconic figurehead of Gannon to guide County into another competitive campaign against some of the fifth tier’s best sides.
Meanwhile, the club also announced plans to celebrate County’s title success with a “promotion party” in Stockport, this coming weekend (Sunday 12th May.)
Details are yet to be revealed, although the club have been hopeful of securing an agreement with Stockport Council for their title-winning players to parade the National League North trophy across the town centre.
Final arrangements are to be confirmed and revealed on County’s official website later