Emerging goalkeeper back at Banks's Stadium...
THE SADDLERS have re-signed goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, on a one-year deal.The 19 year-old is a product of the Banks’s Stadium youth system who signed a professional deal in the summer of 2013 and went on to be an unused substitute on a number of occasions during the course of last term before being released in May.
“It was a very tough decision to release him,” admitted manager, Dean Smith. “Since then Neil Cutler, Richard O’Kelly and I have discussed the situation at length and decided that it was worth giving him another year to see how he develops.
“The club has put a lot of time and effort into him over the years and we didn’t want that to all go to waste.
“The lad has the potential and hopefully he can overcome the things are halted his progress last year and kick-start himself with us.
“We haven’t produced enough of our own goalkeepers here during our recent history and I would like to think that Liam can grab this opportunity and really push on.”
The local lad is delighted to be back and is determined to make the most of the chance that has presented itself to him.
“I’m buzzing,” he said with a broad smile. “This is a great club with great people and I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with Neil Cutler and Richard O’Donnell again.
“They were a big influence on me last year and I would like to think that I can build on that.
“I’ve been training with a League Two club, so I’ve kept myself ticking over and feel ready to hit the ground running and get straight back into it.
“Getting Glandular Fever last year was a big blow and interrupted my progress, so the aim is to stay fit and prove that I am ready to do a job if called upon.
“I would like to think that I will be mentally stronger and fitter this season.”