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Young guns stay at Macc

2/ 7/2008

FOUR of the brightest young things at Macc Town will still be Silkmen this season.

With the first team and reserve squads reporting back for pre-season training this week, academy products Izak Reid, James Jennings, Nick Blackman and Shaun Brisley put pen to paper on new deals at the Moss Rose.

Reid, Jennings and Blackman have both agreed to extend their stays with one-year deals, while Brisley has been rewarded with a two-year contract.

Reid, the younger brother of Levi, who was not retained by Alexander this summer, signed professional forms under Brian Horton but didn’t make his first start for Macc until Paul Ince’s reign.

Playing most of his games at right-back last season, he bagged two goals, one of which was enough to win a tough encounter at Peterborough.

Unsurprisingly, he formed a good understanding on the right flank with his brother and impressed Alexander enough to earn a new contract offer, which he agreed this week.

The versatile Jennings had played at left-back, centre-back and left midfield under previous managers and, last season, enjoyed a good run of form in a central midfield role.

Blackman made a handful of appearances last season and scored one goal that earned Macc a valuable point against Dagenham and Redbridge.

Brisley burst onto the scene late last season and, despite just 10 appearances, was awarded the Young Player of the Year, showing poise and determination in his rookie outings across the back line.

Alexander said: "The youngsters we have at this club can develop and become permanent fixtures in the side.

"Age isn’t really an issue when it comes to picking the side, if the lads are good enough, they will get their chance here."