DRAGONS HOPE NEW SIGNING WILL BRING THEM SUCCESS
Mark Currie - Daily Post

WREXHAM staved off competition from several other clubs to make Richard Hope their fourth signing of the summer, the player said yesterday.

Hope, 28, who was surprisingly released by Shrewsbury Town only days after leading them out at Wembley in the League Two play-off final, has signed a three-year deal at the Racecourse, subject to a medical which will take place today or tomorrow.

Hope, who joins close season captures Anthony Williams, Michael Proctor and Conall Murtagh in Brian Carey's Dragons squad, said: "It was a bit of a shock when I was told by Shrewsbury that I was being released.

"I didn't expect it after the season we had because I've been club captain for the past couple of years and we were just a game away from moving up into League One this year.

"Fortunately for me though Wrexham were on the phone the same evening and I went across to meet (assistant manager) Steve Weaver. I liked what I saw at Wrexham, the facilities are top-class and I believe they are an ambitious club who will be going places next season."

The central defender said he had also spoken to a number of other clubs but in the end decided to join the Dragons, despite their narrow escape from relegation.

"When I weighed everything up, Wrexham came out on top," he added. "The set-up is unbelievable for a club in this division and I believe there are a lot of quality players in the squad.

"The manager and his staff seem to have a clear idea of what they want to achieve so where they finished last year was not something I thought about too much. I see this move as a terrific opportunity for me and I believe Wrexham have every chance of doing well next season.

"I'm pleased for my peace of mind to have sorted out my future so quickly, which means I can get away for a holiday. It's been a long season and we had the extra month at the end, so I need a break but I'm looking forward to meeting up with everyone at the end of the month."

Racecourse assistant boss Steve Weaver said he was delighted to have secured Hope's signature.

"We saw him play a few times during the run-in and felt he was just the type of player we need here," he said.

"I'm delighted we were able to convince him that Wrexham was the club for him because he is the right age and has the right experience. He is a communicator and a leader on the pitch, rather like Neil Roberts, and we feel that will be invaluable for some of the younger lads in the squad."

Hope, who began his league career at Darlington 10 years ago, has played more than 350 first team games at Bristol Rovers, Northampton and Shrewsbury.

HOPE GOING FOR GLORY WITH REDS
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

Centre-back Hope has signed a three-year deal at The Racecourse after the 28-year-old was surprisingly released by ShrewsburyTown.

But Hope, who skippered the Shrews in their League Two play-off final defeat against Bristol Rovers at Wembley, did experience promotion with Northampton Town in 2000, and he is hoping for more success with new club Wrexham.

"There was interest from other League Two clubs but Wrexham appealed to me more and I am glad to have signed," said Hope today. "I signed a three year contract and I am looking to achieve things in that time.

"I am ambitious. I have had promotion with Northampton and when you have done that you get the taste for it. It is a great feeling and I don't want to be at a club where you are just playing the season out in mid-table.

"I want to get out of this division and I think we have got a great chance of getting to the play-offs at least.

"I am looking forward to the start of the new season. If we can get some decent results in pre-season it will stand us in good stead for a positive campaign."

Hope joined Wrexham just days after being informed by Shrewsbury boss Gary Peters that he was not being retained after two seasons at Gay Meadow.

A visit to Wrexham's training ground impressed Hope whose mind was made up when manager Brian Carey was eager to speak to the defender on the telephone while holidaying in Barbados.

"The first year at Shrewsbury we finished 10th and then this season got to the play-off final. I was club and team captain and thought I did a decent job, as we got so close to promotion," said Hope.

"On Tuesday, Gary Peters called me into the office and said he was looking to bring in younger players in my position.

"It was a bit of a shock but these things happen in football.

"But I am delighted to have signed for Wrexham - it is a brilliant move for me. As soon as I got the news at Shrewsbury, I was driving home with my head all over the place and got a call from Wrexham and a few other clubs.

"I liked what I saw at Wrexham and was very impressed with the facilities. When I saw Colliers Park, I thought 'this is not a League Two training ground'. It is excellent and a different class.

"And after talking to Brian Carey and Steve Weaver, they sold me the club and I had no hesitation in signing.

"Brian spoke about what he expects from me and what his plans are for the club. When the manager shows how much you are wanted, and made a point of telephoning me from Barbados, it means a lot.

"The effort Brian made convinced me that I was making the right decision."

Former Blackburn trainee Hope is targeting promotion with Wrexham who avoided relegation to the Conference last term with a last day victory against Boston United.

Four wins in the last five matches - one of those against Hope and his then Shrewsbury team-mates - helped Wrexham secure their League Two status and he couldn't believe the Reds were struggling at the wrong end of the table.

"We said in the dressing room, how are Wrexham where they are with the players they have got?" added Hope. "I am sure it will be different this season.

"There is strength in depth throughout the squad and the gaffer has made some good new signings.

"I know goalkeeper Anthony Williams from my Blackburn days and we won the Youth League together, and striker Michael Proctor has played at a high level. They are both excellent players, and Brian is looking to strengthen the squad further.

"Competition for places is always good."

And assistant manager Weaver is delighted with the acquisition of Hope.

"Richard is the kind of player we really needed," said Weaver. "He is a good talker and organiser, and does not accept poor standards.

"You need people like that. Richard is also left footed and has just been in a play-off final, so he knows the level and it is another experienced player."

As well as Hope, Williams and Proctor, Wrexham have also signed midfielder Conall Murtagh for Rhyl.

HENNESSEY TO BE WALES' NUMBER ONE
BBC Sport

Manager John Toshack says that youngster Wayne Hennessey will have a long stint as Wales' goalkeeper.

"I agree with (ex-Wales keeper) Neville Southall who said Wayne could be Wales' keeper for a long time," said Toshack.

The Wolves stopper won his first cap in the 2-2 draw with New Zealand two weeks ago, then excelled in his full debut, Saturday's 0-0 Czech Republic draw.

Hennessey, 20, stands at an imposing 6ft 7ins and has profited from a series of blows to Wales' goalkeepers.

"We have been forced to play four different goalkeepers in six competitive matches, and that is not by design," said Toshack, who lost then-first-choice Danny Coyne to a knee injury at half-time in the New Zealand game.

"Injuries, people saying they want to stop playing and others not in the club sides, have made things hard for me.

"Some countries don't use four different keepers in 25 years. The only bright spot has been Wayne doing well.

"He had been out on loan to Stockport and set a Football League record for consecutive clean sheets, then found himself in the Wolves team due to injuries for their play-off semi-final matches with West Brom.

"Those games for Wolves were important for Wayne. They were high-pressure matches in front of full houses and he did very well."

Toshack hopes Hennessey can get more first-team action at Wolves, a possibility as previous first-choice Matt Murray faces a lengthy spell out with a damaged shoulder.

That could leave the Anglesey man in pole position to take the Wales number one jersey in the friendly against Bulgaria on 22 August and the Euro 2008 qualifier with Germany on 8 September.

"I don't want to start picking the team for Germany just yet, but Wayne has a good chance and is a fine prospect," said the Wales boss. "All he needs now is more experience."