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Jim's winning formula

Simon Smedley
28/ 5/2008

JIM Gannon’s fantastic County journey will continue next season, as long as he can keep his brilliant young squad together.

The jubilant Hatters boss spoke to the Express yesterday [Tues], less than 24 hours after his dynamic team had won promotion to League One in front of more than 35,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

County deservedly beat Rochdale in the League Two play-off final on Monday, but now the focus has already started to turn towards making further progress next season.

Gannon, speaking hours before last night’s civic reception at Stockport Town Hall, said: "The reality of promotion to League One is sinking in now, so this week will be time for a reality check.

"There is clearly massive potential for further progress next season, but right now we are thinking about strengthening.

"We’ve already made contact with a number of potential new signings, and we’ve got a good idea of what kind of budget will be available.

"We’ve made tentative enquiries for three different goalkeepers, a few defenders and a few attackers."

Given County’s elevation into League One, and the type of players Gannon is chasing, the Hatters boss has revealed that transfer fees will more than likely have to be paid for potential targets but, unsurprisingly, he is also keen to keep as much of his current squad together as possible.

Bright young things Tommy Rowe and Paul Turnbull have just signed new two-year deals, Gianluca Havern, Jamie Vincent and Paul Ennis have penned one-year deals, while Gary Dicker has been offered an improved two-year deal.

Michael Rose and Jamie Smith were offered new contracts a fortnight ago but haven’t got back to the club as yet, while Gannon will be sitting down with Matty McNeil, Adam Proudlock, David Poole, Chris Adamson, Adam Griffin and Rob Clare before the end of this week regarding their futures at Edgeley Park.

Gannon added: "If any offers come in from outside we will always allow our players to seek out their own ambitions, but from my point of view there will be a strong determination to keep the squad together this summer.

"The young players particularly have really grown this season, they’ve come together as a team and they’ve really clicked.

"I would like to think that all of our young players will stay for at least one more year.

"We’ve hit on a winning formula, and I’m confident that we could have another very good season in League One.

"There’s no ceiling to our ambition really. There are some great challenges awaiting next season on some big stages, but my players will perform.

"We’ve proved this season that our style of football is successful and effective."

County’s squad, which averaged just 21 years of age at the play-off final at Wembley on Monday, will return for pre-season training on July 1.

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