By RICHARD WILLIAMS
08 May 2008
MATTY
DONE admits it would be a wrench to leave Wrexham – but he still holds a burning
desire to continue playing in the Football League.
The 19-year-old winger, a product of
the club's youth set-up, has been offered a new deal by manager Brian Little who
is undertaking a major reshuffle of the Reds' playing staff.
Oswestry-born Done has held talks with Little after being offered a new contract
– and is considering where his future lies: "I love it at Wrexham. They have
stuck by me, and I have stuck by them," he said today.
"But everyone wants to play in the Football League, that's why you become a
professional footballer.
"I have spoken with the gaffer and we are on the same wavelength. He understands
where I am coming from, and I now have to decide whether to sign – but I am not
going to rush it."
Although he was given permission to speak to Hereford United in the January
transfer window Done decided to stay with Wrexham, and is honoured that Little
wants him to stay.
"It was a nice gesture by the gaffer and I am made up to be offered a contract
when you think of who hasn't," said Done.
"It has been a big change in six months. "I was told I could go in January and
actually had talks in Hereford but decided to stay – now this. But that's
football."
Done, who believed Wrexham had a chance of pulling clear of relegation when he
rejected Hereford's advances, added: "It's unfortunate we have gone down."
"I have been here since I was eight and never wanted to leave in January.
"I was part of the team that stayed up last season and felt we could do it
again. That was a major factor in me staying and I wanted to try and keep
Wrexham up this time too."
Ironically for Done, it was Hereford who actually relegated the Reds at the end
of April and he described it as an "awful" day.
"For four or five months people said we were going down but we thought we could
do it," added Done. "The gaffer had faith in the kids that went and beat Notts
County and then we went to Hereford with no fear.
"Although they were going for promotion we were going there with confidence.
"We were playing well but then conceded a stupid goal which was the story of our
season.
"Everyone was expecting us to go down but when we did, it was hard to take and
an awful day."
Meanwhile, Little today revealed that existing Wrexham players have been told in
no uncertain terms that there must be an improvement next season.
Talks have been held with the squad before their summer break and Little was
adamant that the players know what is expected of them when they return for
pre-season training.
"Martin Foyle and Brian Carey went over with the players what they have done
right, and what they have done wrong this season," said Little today.
"We have analysed their few months with us and our thoughts have been put to
them.
"They have been told what they need to improve on. We have not held back or
pulled any punches, the players have been told what we expect from them. We have
let them know in no uncertain terms they need to do better.
"And they have been told players are coming in to play in their positions, and
asked how they will react."
Just 11 players remain in contract following Little's wholesale changes.
Full-back Carl Tremarco and winger
Done have been offered new contracts while centre-back Steve Evans was due to
hold talks with Little today, and the Reds boss said: "We have put the offer to
them so the ball's in their court. I would imagine they might like to see what
is happening in the Football League.
"The problem is we are not in the driving seat, hence the decisions I have made
to release other players.
"People might agree or disagree with some of the decisions but I won't sit on
the fence."