by David Lovett
14/02/03
WREXHAM
today signed Wigan utility player Scott Green and he makes his debut at home to
Southend United tomorrow.
Green, 33, joins the club on non-contract until the end of the season after being released by the Latics. He was due to sign before tonight’s five o’clock deadline and goes straight into the squad tomorrow.
Manager Denis Smith said: “Scott is the sort of player I have been looking for. I’ve resisted calls by people to go out and just sign anyone. I’m not into signing players for the sake of it.
“There has to be a purpose - and this lad’s as good as they come at this level. He’s just turned 33 but he’s played 20 times this season for Wigan, who are top of the second division.
“Also, he’s stood the test of time at Wigan what with all the change of managers they’ve had there. That says a lot to me about him and how highly he’s rated by other managers in the game.
“Scott can play at right or left-back; he can play in midfield - and probably up front as well! He’s certainly a multi-purpose player who has been a round a bit and I’m sure he will do a good job for us.
“He’s coming in to train with us this morning and until I’ve seen him in action in our set-up, I honestly don’t know yet where he will play tomorrow. But you can safely say he will be in the squad to face Southend – possibly from the start.
“What I do know is this lad will make a big difference to us. He began at Derby County 15 years ago and then went to Bolton Wanderers before joining Wigan. He’s been around and he’s still got a good engine. He gets up and down well and we’ve lacked that sort of player since losing Waynne Phillips on the opening day of the season.”
Green’s move from Derby to Bolton involved a £50,000 fee and he was then involved in a £300,000 transfer to Wigan.
Smith said: “He’s been at Wigan for almost six years and the present manager and his assistant both speak very highly of him as a person, let alone as a player.
“They want to look after him even though they obviously don’t see Scott as part of their plans should they make it to the first division.
“He is joining us on non-contract until the end of the season and part of the deal is being financed by WINS, the supporters group who do such a lot of good work here for the club.
“The move, as it is being set up, gives both us a chance to look at Scott and the player the chance to take a look at us. I think the signing is ideally timed. Things are happening at the moment and Wrexham fans are obviously getting excited about what we can still achieve here this season. Scott Green can be a big part of that.”
Smith’s Valentine Day’s signing will win over Wrexham hearts but the manager is not letting his heart rule his head tomorrow.
“Southend,” he said “ will be no walkover. They will be hard to break down and, I think, if you look at their away record it’s one of the best in the division. Even when they get beat, they only tend to lose by the odd goal so no one really runs them down.
“They’ve got some good players in the side and they’ve just signed Dominic Foley on loan from Watford and he makes his debut here for them. I remember him when he was at Wolves and he’s a useful lad to have up front.”
Wrexham: Dibble, C. Edwards, Roberts, Carey, Lawrence, P. Edwards, Whitley, Ferguson, Green, Morrell, Trundle, Sam, Jones, Holmes, Thomas, Pejic, Rogers.