Contract signing in 15 Rangers deals

Friday 24th June 2011, 6:30AM BST.

Contract signing in 15 Rangers deals

Stafford Rangers have signed 15 players after a whirlwind evening of activity at Marston Road saw a new playing squad take real shape.

Rangers boss Greg Clowes called all of his transfer targets to the club’s ground last night and those that did attend signed up for next season.

Midfielder Glynn Blackhurst is the only player in the group to receive a long-term contract after leaving Nantwich, but Niall Maguire is set to go the other way after telling management he won’t be returning to Rangers.

The other 14 players have signed non-contract forms with defender Charlie Reeves also coming from Nantwich, while only Grant Goodhead and goalkeeper Tom Turner have put pen to paper from last season’s squad.

Clowes has brought almost his entire defensive unit with him from Newcastle Town last season in captain Paul Donnelly, centre-backs Karl Espley and 6ft 4in Ryan Dicker, along with left-back John Sheldon.

Goalkeeper Danny Read is another making the trip along with midfielder Dan Skelton and strikers Peter Heler, Alan Nagington and Chris Budrys.

Midfielders Mike Douglas and Mick Morton are also coming from Newcastle and complete the list, while Clowes is possibly even looking at bringing in a 12th player from Newcastle Town in striker Neville Thompson.

Thompson got 16 goals in 18 games under the manager’s tutelage last season and could be reunited with him at Rangers.


  1. 1
    martin

    So when does the team name change to Newcastle Town as well …. OK it’s normal for managers to bring a couple of players with them, but an entire team????? Is Greg really THAT confident that there is no-one else available who is better? Hmm….

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  2. 2
    HATFIELD68

    So Stafford Rangers are going to be the same level as Newcastle Town were last season ? Another great own-goal by the Rangers board.

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  3. 3
    Jon

    Can’t belive some of these pathetic comments. Greg and Doz are going to be great for this club. The team he has brought with him only lost 8 games In 2 years. I cam assure everyone that 99% of Rangers fans are right behind them. UP THE BORO

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  4. 4
    JonW

    I am sure Greg and Doz have not come to Rangers to ruin their great reputation.

    They know how good these players are and think they are good enough, lets face but for 1 game those players would be in our league anyway.

    It says something when a conference prem team is after 1 of them.

    As for the nantwich guys, I bet they had already tapped them up for Newcastle, had they stayed.

    Well done Greg and Doz, UP THE BORO

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  5. 5
    bazzer

    the first two comments are pathetic,people are judging players without possibly not even seeing them perform,these people arent fans theyre full time critics.

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  6. 6
    Gon2seed

    Martin & Hat’, I am sure the vast majority of REAL ‘boro fans don’t agree with ya both. These fella’s have a good record in the lower league, & a real handle on Non-league and it’s players, I think you may have to eat your words!

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  7. 7
    Greg

    Fantastic that we have a squad assembled so early and that we have another 12 trialists trying to earn a place in the team. The people whinging, moaning and complaining are proving they are not real Boro fans! Until we have seen the first 10 matches we are unable to judge this squad!

    uptheboro

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