Ebbsfleet United will have two familiar faces battling it out for the No.1 jersey next season as both of last season’s goalkeepers have committed to the club for 2014-15.
Preston Edwards and Brandon Hall signed new contracts this week to take the total number of players re-signed in the past week to nine.
Former England C stopper Edwards, 24, will be the club’s longest-serving player as he enters his fifth consecutive full season in a Fleet shirt and will likely pass the 200-appearance mark before the year is out. The fans’ favourite told FleetOnline: “I’m delighted to have signed for the foreseeable future at Ebbsfleet. The club is in good hands now and I couldn’t be more pleased to continue my career at a progressive club whose ambition meets my own. Hopefully, the pain from losing last year’s play-off final will make us hungrier to go that one step forward.”
Meanwhile, Edwards’ goalkeeping partner of last season will continue to push him all the way for the No.1 shirt. Hall proved to be a capable deputy when called upon, capping his debut season with a Kent Senior Cup winners’ medal, and is highly regarded among his teammates and the Fleet management.
The former St Mirren and Hayes keeper claimed it was “an easy decision to stay” with the new training regime an enticement for young players. “With training now three mornings a week, it’s only going to improve a player of my age even more,” Hall told FleetOnline. “It’s a huge compliment from the manager and club to have offered me a new contract. They’ve shown great faith in me and it’s pleasing to see my hard work in training hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“It was enjoyable to be part of a strong squad last season and I’m looking forward to contributing towards the success of the club in the near future.”
