He said “We have been delighted with the way our young players have made the grade at first team level after coming up through our youth system. The lads all played a part in winning the Ryman U18 Champion of Champions Trophy last year”. “Although we were always confident that they had the ability to play at Ryman League level, the way they have made their way so swiftly to be regular members of our first team squad and played so well is a great credit to them. I am very pleased they have committed themselves to the Club, although we are of course always willing to help them progress their careers should the opportunity arise, much as we did with Greg Luer.” “Their progress reflects well on the U18 set up at the club, for which both Ashley Carr and Tony Tregear who both deserve great credit, and which is now being continued under Paul Armstrong to such good effect. “We are also looking to produce the players of the future through the Youth Development Squad which is being so successfully organized by Paul Dollner. All in all, I hope our supporters can see that the future is indeed looking bright for us.” The Club also announced on Thursday that midfielder Dan Pearse has committed himself to the Club by signing a contract which keeps him at the Green Elephants Stadium until at least the end of next season 2015/16. Pearse came to the club following a spell at Farnborough Town after starting his career at the AFC Wimbledon Academy. He has impressed both management and supporters alike with his whole-hearted approach and non-stop work rate in the middle of the park. Manager Ian Chapman said “I am delighted to secure the services of Dan Pearse for the future. I believe that Dan will be a great asset to us and like the other lads who’ve just extended their contracts they are in my opinion the sort of players we need to take the club forward and all are well equipped to play at a higher level.” Chairman Kevin Newell said “Dan has fitted in well with the blend of youth and experience which our manager Ian Chapman has developed over the past couple of seasons and I am delighted that he has agreed to sign for us for the foreseeable future.”
