Development squad trio sign new deals

We are pleased to announce that development squad trio Darren Hynes, Alexander Easdale, and Ben Eardley have today signed contract extensions to tie them to the club for next season.

Defender Hynes, 20, striker Easdale, 19, and midfielder Eardley, 19, were all offered new terms after featuring regularly for the second string in their maiden season in the revamped Reserve League One.

The academy graduates put pen to paper this afternoon and director of youth Derek Anderson said: “John and I had a good chat about the three kids and think they all deserve a chance to impress the new manager.

“It’s a massive year for the three of them because they’re getting to that age where they need to be getting themselves in about it.

“They’ve done well. There are games where they’ve made mistakes, like all young boys will, but they’ve finished the season well, and Darren was on the bench for the first-team in their last two matches.

“Hopefully they can all come back in for pre-season and, whoever the new manager is, catch his eye, and go and see what they can do. The ball is in their court.”

New chief executive Dave MacKinnon added: “As academy director, Derek knows exactly what kind of player we’ll be looking for in the future and it’s on his recommendation the players are signed up.

“That’s endorsed and supported by myself and we’re really grateful that he has identified them. Irrespective of the manager coming in, we feel these are players with potential who we want to keep at the club.”

Meanwhile, Nathan Durham, Jack Purdue, and Blair Docherty have not been offered new terms and leave the club with our very best wishes for their future careers.

Image: Jonathan Mitchell