Crawley Town manager Steve Evans has started meeting the players he has offered contracts to for next season as he sets about putting his squad in place.
Targeted midfield duo Ben Smith and Barry Cogan have now signed contracts to be at the Broadfield Stadium next season.
Smith held talks with three interested Blue Square Premier clubs, one of which is a giant in non-League football, but he arrived back at the Broadfield Stadium on Thursday afternoon to put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal.
He immediately declared himself delighted to be part of Evans` squad for next season. '' I am delighted to be here for next season.
“I have really enjoyed my time here at Crawley Town and I gave careful consideration to how much I enjoyed my job here over the last year versus taking more money at a big club elsewhere in this league.
“The gaffer is very professional and also shared his team plans with me in relation to the players he would like to sign. If he can get most of those players I see us being a better team next season and that was a big factor in my decision, I want to get into those playoffs next season and with the gaffer in charge I believe we have a chance.”
Influential midfielder Barry Cogan has also signed a contract for next season, despite interest from two Blue Square Premier managers who held talks with the young Irishman.
Cogan said: “This was a very big decision for me but I am happy in my mind that I have made the right decision. I am getting married this summer and that seemed to me that the decision this summer was even bigger than it would normally be.
“I met a couple of other managers who were very courteous and made me good offers but like Smudger I have really enjoyed playing for the manager and Crawley Town. I believe that I have become a better player under the Gaffer and Rayns but I can get better that is for sure''.
Evans was delighted with both signings. He said: “It`s great to have Smudger and Barry on board for next season. I must admit that earlier this week I thought both of them would be leaving us and they would have been hard to replace.
“Both of them had offers from what I would describe as big clubs in The Blue Square Premier so I get a great personal satisfaction that they have decided to sign here. We work the lads very hard but it is very important to us that they enjoy coming to work and that they as individuals want to improve.
“These two players are very keen for us to improve on last season and that is very important as that is our core objective, it will not be easy but it is possible that I do know.”
