I'M GOING NOWHERE - SPENDER
Daily Post

WREXHAM defender Simon Spender has no intention of quitting the League Two club and is determined to finally establish himself as a first-team regular next season.

The 21-year-old product of the Racecourse school of excellence has yet to sign the new deal he's been offered by manager Brian Carey, but yesterday he made it clear he sees his future with the Dragons.

"We are still taking over one or two details, but I'm definitely staying put," he said.

"From the time Brian took over as boss in January, I had a good run of matches either wide on the right or at full-back and I want to push on again next year hold down a regular place in the team."

Since making his full league debut aged 18 in April 2004, Spender has progressively started more and more games each season. In his first season he started three, nine and then 13 matches followed by 23 in the campaign just ended.

But he agreed he was now of an age to perform consistently over the course of a season and said he was already looking forward to pre-season training, which gets fully under way on Monday, July 2.

"Since the end of the season we have signed three or four new faces, which is great because the squad was too small last year," he added.

"Once we picked up a few injuries, we were always going to be struggling, but with a few more bodies around we should be able to cope much better.

"For me personally it's going to be a big season because I feel I should be doing enough to play every week and I'd like to be part of a successful team.

"We cannot afford another disaster like the one we've just gone through and I think everyone at the club realises that as well.

"Everything that has happened off the field in the past 12 months demonstrates that the club is geared up for a better future. The training facilities have been improved even more, we're getting more equipment and the whole place is looking brighter and more positive.

"It suggests the club is moving in the right direction, the new lads who have signed will strengthen an already decent squad and I can't wait to get back for pre-season training at the end of the month."

Meanwhile, new capture Richard Hope admits he can finally enjoy a well-earned summer break after passing a medical at the Racecourse Ground.

Hope skippered Shrewsbury to the brink of promotion in the season just ended but was released in the wake of the club's League Two play-off final defeat against Bristol Rovers.

Now, having proved his fitness to the Dragons, he will officially sign a three-year deal with Brian Carey's men on July 1.

"Now this is out of the way, I can concentrate on looking for a house and settling my family into their new surroundings.

"Pre-season training is only a few short weeks away and after only playing my last game 10 days ago, a short break would not go amiss."

REDS JUST GREAT SAYS ROBBIE
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

ROBBIE GARRETT would not rule out ever appearing for Wrexham again.

The 19-year-old Stoke City midfielder made a big impression with some battling performances during a three-month loan spell at The Racecourse last season.

And having helped turn around Wrexham's fortunes, Garrett, who made 10 league starts for the Reds, was offered a new contract by the Championship outfit, keeping him at The Britannia Stadium until next summer.

And although Garrett will be looking to make the breakthrough at Stoke - he made two substitute appearances for the first team during the 2005-06 season - the Ulsterman would consider another loan move with Wrexham.

"It was great to be offered another year's contract and I have signed it. I must have done something right at Wrexham," said Garrett today.

"I will go back to Stoke City and see what happens then. If I am not involved at Stoke, I would love to go back to Wrexham. I would not mind that at all."

Garrett came to The Racecourse having represented Northern Ireland at under 20 level but he soon got his chance with the under 21s following his exploits with Wrexham, making another starting appearance in the 1-0 victory against Moldova in an under 21 European qualifier last Friday.

Grateful for getting the chance with Wrexham, Garrett enjoyed his time with the Reds and had nothing but praise for the club.

"I really enjoyed my time at Wrexham," said Garrett. "It went well for me and I was happy with my performances.

"I was confident in my ability coming to Wrexham and I thought I did well.

"Brian Carey, Steve Weaver and Joey Jones were great, they said I was part of getting Wrexham safe and they praised my performances. It was nice of them to say that.

"The fans were excellent and it was a pity I didn't score when I had a chance to against Bury. It is a brilliant club with great facilities, and the staff and lads were great with me. Everything about the club was good and, like I said, I really enjoyed my time there.

"And Wrexham helped me get into the under 21 squad. I had already played for the under 20s, but now I am a regular with the under 21s which I am delighted about."

One regret Garrett has about his spell at Wrexham is that he was sidelined by a virus at a crucial time as the Reds entered the run-in, so Danny Williams and Jeff Whitley became the midfield lynchpins.

Garrett, was illegible for the final day showdown against Boston United, having seen his three-month loan stint come to an end, but he was still at The Racecourse to see the Reds secure their League Two status - something he was thrilled about.

"It killed me being out for a few weeks at the end of my spell," added Garrett. "I was away on international duty when a virus was coming on, and when I got back I really felt it. I was disappointed not to have been involved too much near the end, but that's football.

"We had some very good results, such as at Lincoln and Shrewsbury, to get out of it and that was the main thing.

"I would have loved to have played against Boston but my three months was up.

"It was my choice to come back for the game - I had to! I wanted to be there because I had been part of the team and there was no way I would have missed it.

"I was over the moon the lads did it. It was a superb second half display and the character of the team came through.

"It would have been an injustice if Wrexham had not stayed up. I came to Wrexham to help them stay in the Football League and they did."