E-mail Article Print this story

Alan Marriott

Related Links

• Teams
• Rushden & Diamonds

Duo join new-look Diamonds

Rushden & Diamonds have swooped to complete a double transfer coup with the signings of forward Dean McDonald and goalkeeper Alan Marriott.

McDonald joins the Nene Park outfit from Scottish Premier League side Inverness, while the stopper ended a nine-year spell with Lincoln City to link up with Diamonds.

The pair takes manager Garry Hill's summer signings up to seven, with Lee Phillips, Rob Wolleaston, Curtis Osano, Scott Mitchell and Daryl Clare completing the new look side.

And former Arsenal apprentice McDonald is eager to re-ignite his career in the Blue Square Premier after notching up just seven substitute appearances last season.

He told the Evening Telegraph: "I think at my age of 22 I need to be playing regularly after a couple of years when I've been in and out of the first team.

"I need to get into the groove. I spoke to the manager here and he was really keen to have me. As a player you need to feel clubs want you.

"He has given me an opportunity to do my best. I can see the club has got ambition to get as high as they can.

"It would be a great achievement to get promoted into the Football League again."

Meanwhile, Marriott - a former Tottenham Hotspur trainee - revealed he already has a brief history with the club.

He said: "I actually came down here when I left Spurs for a couple of days on trial. At the time Brian Talbot was the manager and he already had a couple of good keepers.

"Being a local lad, I wanted to sign. Unfortunately things didn't work out back then for different reasons and instead I moved to Lincoln where I've had a fantastic time.

"Hopefully by coming to Diamonds I can get back to my best and prove a point to those people who have let me go.

"I wanted to do a deal because I'm from this area and also the facilities are first-class. As soon as the club showed an interest, they stood out from all the other options."

And Hill had good words on both of his acquisitions and is delighted with both signings.

"Alan has a wealth of experience in The Football League and has been a big part of Lincoln City's promotion push over the last few seasons - he will no doubt prove to be a massive asset here at Nene Park," he said.

"Dean started his career at Arsenal before playing for the first team at Gillingham and Ipswich Town and subsequently Inverness.

"He has pace in abundance and can play either in wide areas or up front and will no doubt cause our opposition problems on the park this coming season.

"I am delighted to have acquired both players and cannot wait for the season to kick-off on 9th August 2008 at Eastbourne Borough".