Yates still a Blue

TRINITY midfielder Jamie Yates says he had no intention of leaving the club as he became the latest Blues player to commit his immediate future to the club.

Despite interest from other clubs Yates (pictured) , who captained the side in the final six games of the campaign, admitted that Gainsborough’s failure to secure promotion had no bearing on his decision to sign a new one-year contract.

He told the Standard: “There is a job that is unfinished at the minute.”

“We were all disappointing to miss out on promotion but that still didn’t affect anything with regards to my summer plans.”

“I am happy enough where I am and I’m settled. I’ve made new friends at the football club in my first year and it’s been a successful one even though we did lose (in the play-off final).”

“I‘ll be looking to do well again next year to prolong my stay and hopefully if things go as well as they have done this year then there shouldn’t be a problem.”

The former Boston United winger joined the Blues under former boss Brian Little in May last year after rejecting a new offer at the Pilgrims.

And the 23-year-old says following talks with Trinity chief Steve Housham and chairman Peter Swann, his decision to stay on the Northolme was made a lot easier.

“I had a couple of phone calls (from other clubs) but after speaking with Steve and the chairman I decided to stay.”

“It wasn’t as if I had my heart set on going at any point because I have got a strong feeling for the football club that I have been at for a year now.”

“There is a new ground up and coming and it would be nice to move into that in the league above.”

“It is in the back of our minds that if we do well then we could be starting Blue Square Premier football in a new stadium.”

Yates joins fellow midfielder Jonathan Williams and goalkeeper Jason White, who have both extended their stay at the club for another year.

Last week, Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year Jonathan D’Laryea inked a new contract with the club along with Dominic Roma and Ryan Williams.

However, the Blues have decided not to retain club captain Gavin Cowan, who missed the latter half of the season through injury.

Leon Mettam, Kevin Sandwith and the club’s longest serving player Lewis McMahon have also been shown the exit door.

“I am surprised to see one or two go maybe but that is the manager’s decision and as a player I wish them all the best,” added Yates.

“The likes of Gavin Cowan, Kev Sandwith, Metts and Lewis McMahon, they are all very good players but the opinions of people above me have obviously decided differently.”

“But I am sure they will all find new football clubs, I have no doubt about that.”

“I think the manager knows what he wants and if he wants to bring in players to play with us lot that are already here then that is great.”

“There are big personalities that have left, but we still have big personalities that are here.”

“We’ve certainly got more than enough plus whatever the manager decides to bring in to have another go at winning the league.”

It does seem as though Trinity will enter the new season with a much more youthful look about their side and Yates says it could be something manager Steve Housham is trying to build at the club.

He said: “He did mention to me that he wanted to have a youthful squad should we say.”

“We have got young players here that have got good experience now to say we are a fairly young squad.”

“I’ve had a good couple of years at this level now and I’m still only 23. Shane Clarke, Dom Roma and Ryan Kendall have all done the same and a few experienced heads along with us could really help us do something.”

The Standard also understands that striker Ryan Paczkowski and former Lincoln City defender Adam Watts have been told they can leave.

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