Versatile Maguire is next Robins arrival
ILKESTON TOWN manager Kevin Wilson has added more versatility to his Ilkeston Town squad with the arrival of teenager Joe Maguire.
The 18-year-old comes from Championship side Scunthorpe United and is equally comfortable in central midfield or at the heart of the defence.
"He is 6ft tall, a strong lad, a good player and acquisition," said Wilson, who is pressing ahead with his work in assembling a Blue Square North squad.
Wilson has good links with Scunthorpe, who loaned him young forwards Matt Godden and Rory Coleman during the winter.
Maguire is the third newcomer, following right-back Ryan Clarke and busy central midfielder Laurie Wilson who worked with the manager at Hucknall Town.
And there are the key signings of star keeper Dan Lowson and Amari Morgan-Smith, who has brought distinction to the club by becoming its first player to pick up international honours.
Wilson is delighted the pair have agreed to stay at the New Manor Ground and seek to build on their achievements of last season.
The manager has so far lost only one player he was keen to retain from last year. Luke Waterfall has gone to Gainsborough Trinity, having also attracted the attention of neighbours Eastwood Town.
Wilson is talking to other players - both fresh targets and members of last year's successful set-up, which took the club to eighth spot in the division at the highest level the Robins have reached.
He said: "I don't want to rush into things. I am taking my time in seeing what comes up."
He is extremely busy in establishing the academy which is intended to develop local youngsters and provide a supply line of first teamers.
The academy has to provide courses to give teenagers skills for jobs away from football, as a guarantee if their careers don't take off.
Training is often related to sport and can cover subjects like managing leisure centres or becoming physiotherapists.
Wilson is talking to several colleges to discover the one best equipped to give the finest education for his young players.
After a series of trials and plenty of scouting missions, he is ready to offer academy places to between 20 and 22 players.
They are aged between 16 and 18 and would enrol in a two-year programme at the club.
If it all goes ahead as expected, the club will enrol in an academy league where players will face teenagers attached to Football League clubs.
On occasions they would train with the first team, whose pre-season friendly campaign starts with the visit of Burton Albion on Saturday July 10, kick-off 3pm.
By Rod Malcolm
sport@ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk
Pic courtesy of www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk
ARRIVAL: Joe Maguire has signed for Ilkeston Town
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Friday 25 May 2012
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