Wanderer Paul wants to stay put
27 October 2005
By RICHARD WILLIAMS
PAUL
WARHURST is hoping to secure a contract at Wrexham until the end of the season –
and add some stability to his footballing career.
The experienced 35-year-old defender, who has made six league starts for the
Reds, signed a short-term contract that is due to expire in the New Year.
Warhurst was the subject of quite a few big money moves earlier on in his career
when he represented a number of clubs in the Premiership, including Sheffield
Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.
But since leaving the Reebok Stadium at the end of the 2002-03 season, he has
been attached to seven clubs, either on loan, trial or a non-contract basis.
And having settled at Wrexham, Warhurst would love to extend his stay at The
Racecourse and help Denis Smith’s side in their bid for promotion, saying: “I am
here until the second week in January. When I first spoke to Denis Smith, I was
looking at staying until the end of the season but he explained about the
situation with being in administration, and the pending court hearing.
FANTASTIC
“I am still hoping that something can be sorted because I would love to stay on
until the end of the season. I am thoroughly enjoying it at Wrexham. It is a
fantastic club and I am hoping it can go from strength to strength after the
news last week, and can move on.
“From my point of view, I would like a bit of stability because I have done a
lot of moving around over the last few years and to get that at Wrexham would be
great. The target is to stay here and help add something to Wrexham getting out
of League Two. If I can do that I will be delighted and it would be a fantastic
season.”
And Warhurst believes Wrexham have got what it takes to mount a bid for
promotion but also realises that the Reds have to improve their away form.
Wrexham have yet to win on their travels this season but fought back after
trailing to a first half goal to earn a 1-1 draw at Peterborough on Tuesday with
an Andy Holt equaliser coming just two minutes from time.
On the other hand, Wrexham’s results at The Racecourse have been superb and
Warhurst acknowledged that the Reds’ need to take that form on the road – and
cut out defensive mistakes.
“It is an open division and although we are disappointed to drop stupid points
in some games because of silly mistakes, we know why we have lost and that helps
because you can work on it,” said Warhurst.
“We could be in the top five if things had gone our way so we have to put things
right and keep picking up points at home and do something about our away form.
“Home form is important but you need points from away matches too. And I’m sure
that when we get that first away win it will settle everyone down a bit and
confidence will grow.
“I am disappointed with some of the recent results but apart from that
everything is going well. I picked up the ankle injury against Torquay United
and although I only trained one day that week, was back on the bench against
Bristol Rovers on Saturday and came through 90 minutes at Peterborough on
Tuesday.
“It was a heavy pitch at Peterborough and although I feel a bit leggy everything
is fine.”
Wales and Austria drew 0-0 yesterday in their Under 19 UEFA qualifying match
in Limoges, France.
Coming into the match Wales had lost 3-1 to France, whilst Austria had beaten
San Marino 8-0. France meet San Marino later this evening.
The final round of games are on Friday, and two teams will progress to the
next round.
The Cyprus v Wales friendly international on Wednesday, November 16 will be an
evening kick off in Limassol, Cyprus at the Tsirio Stadium.
The day before, the Under 21 sides will meet in Paphos at the Paphiako
Stadium. Kick off will be 3pm local time.