REID PLANS ASSAULT ON PLAYER MARKET

May 10 2007

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid this week told fans he’s searching for at least “five or six” big-name stars to bolster his squad for next season.

With the dust only recently settled on the 2006/07 campaign, Reid is already looking ahead to next term, and wants to ensure his side are ready for the challenge ahead.

Reid confirmed that top-team stars Marvyn Wilson, Derek Fleming, Scott Tunbridge and Scott Agnew will leave the club this summer.

Back-up goalkeeper Raymond Jellema and veteran defender Chris Swailes are on the verge of signing new deals, while an offer is still on the table for striker David Winters.

Reid also hopes to have Dunfermline goalkeeper Sean Murdoch in place for next term, although it’s understood that his availability depends on what league relegation-haunted Pars are in.

The gaffer said: “I need to bring in a couple of attack-minded midfield players who can maybe chip in with a few goals.

“I’ve got a list of players I want to bring in, and I’ve been working on that since January.

“We’ve spoken to people about pre-contracts, and I’ve already confirmed earlier this season that we spoke to Eddie Malone and Craig Bryson.

“Unfortunately I think they’re going to Premierleague clubs, but that is the type of player that we have to try and attract.

“There will be five or six new faces coming to New Douglas Park. We need them, but I’ve got to make sure they’re the right ones, and in the right positions.”

Reid added: “Decisions have been more or less taken on who is staying and who is going.

“We offered David Winters a contract.

“Unfortunately he hasn’t come back to us on that as yet, so I don’t know the full situation.

“The ball is in David’s court and I don’t know if he’s looking at other options, but we feel as though we’ve made him a good offer.

“I would like David to sign, but it’s up to him.

“Chris Swailes will be on a part-time contract.

“He has experience and wisdom and I thought he was fantastic for us towards the end of the season – particularly when you think that he hadn’t played for over a year before that.

“If we can give him a pre-season under his belt and get him to be part of the squad, I think he’ll be a great asset for us.”

Reid continued: “Derek Fleming, Marvyn Wilson and Scott Tunbridge knew that things wouldn’t be happening, and they leave with our best wishes – they can certainly do a job for another team.

“Scott Agnew has also left the club and that’s a wee bit unfortunate because he picked up a bad injury, but for him to break into the team he has to put Alex Neil, James McArthur, James McCarthy, Tony Stevenson and Marc McJimpsey out.”

On Murdoch’s availability, Reid said: “We’ve already spoken to Dunfermline about Sean. We would love to keep him, but I think it’s pending on where Dunfermline are next year.

“Dunfermline are grateful that he got first-team experience here, so everything bodes well if Dunfermline stay up in the SPL.

“I think if we can get Murdoch and Jellema for next season then we’re fine, goalkeeper-wise.

“’Jelly’ has come in and done well for me, but as a young goalkeeper he needs consistency – and that’s the same with Sean.”

Reid also confirmed that midfield ace Alex Neil will continue in the captain’s role next term.

He said: “Alex will be captain next year. He’s only 25-years-old, but he leads the young boys on the park.

“They learn so much from him and he’s matured and grown as a player and a person since he’s been at the club.

“James McArthur has come on a ton playing alongside him in the middle of the park.”

Reid added: “I’ve spoken to him and I think one day Alex will go into coaching and maybe management.

“I know he wants to go down that road, he’s sitting his ‘B’ licence and I’ve encouraged him to do that.”

Meanwhile, Reid on Tuesday started the club’s pre-season preparations, and will urge players to undertake strength and conditioning work between now and the start of the 2007/08 campaign.

Players can go into the club on Mondays and Thursdays, supervised by Reid, sports therapist Avril Downs, physio Alan Rankin and sports science officer Ross Hughes.

Reid explained: “We want them to rest up, but we’ve decided to bring the players in for two days a week.

“It’s optional; if someone phones and says that they’re going to do something else that week I don’t have a problem with that.

“But it’s important that we’re ready for the new season.”

BILLY REID: Hamilton boss is already planning for next season.