Stoppers to stay at Renfrew

Published 8 Jul 2010 09:42 0 Comments

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RENFREW veterans John Hammond and Neil Shearer have decided to continue playing at Western Park for another season.

As Gazette Sport reported last month, Shearer's future was up in the air as he considered retiring from the game.

However, the captain has chosen to continue playing for the Frew and will be an important player for Dougie Mitchell in next season's promotion bid.

And the Frew faithful were given another boost with the news that Hammond has also re-signed for the club and will play in his 13th season at Western Park.

The defensive duo were rock solid at the back for Mitchell's side and they played a major part in Renfrew claiming fourth spot.

Frew assistant boss Colin Clark is delighted the two stoppers have opted to stay with the club and believes they will be a big help next season.

He said: "We have managed to re-sign Neil and John and it's positive for the team. They are good experienced players and we are certainly better off with them than without them.

"It means we don't have to fill gaps that would have needed to be plugged. They played well for the team last season and they are definitely quality players for the side.

"It wasn't at our behest but we are pleased they are staying on. I was a wee bit surprised that they agreed to re-sign because when I spoke to them it was in their mind set that they were going to hang up the boots.

"They have a role to play at the club so we are delighted that they are staying on."

Renfrew's squad were back from their summer breaks as they began pre-season training at Western Park on Saturday.

The club have already made two impressive signings this summer with goalkeeper Kevin Bell and midfielder Graham Mort arriving at Western Park.

Clark revealed they are still running the rule over a number of players but admitted they have still to add to their squad.

He said: "We haven't had many new developments at the club but we have been looking at a few boys from Kilbirnie. We are looking at a couple of amateur players as well.

"In terms of signing players, we aren't really any further forward. But we have re-signed nearly all of last season's squad which is positive.

"There are still some players we need to sign forms and agree matters with but we are happy with what we have got in at the moment."

Meanwhile, Renfrew have confirmed that James Crowhurst has departed the club.

This article appeared in The Gazette 07 Jul 10

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