Midfielder Alfie Beestin was delighted to sign a contract extension with the Iron, a deal that will keep him at the club until June 2022 at least.
The 23-year-old originally signed a short-term contract with the Under-23s in January and did enough to be awarded a new deal in the summer. He’s since made a favourable impression within the first team to see that extended for a further year.
Speaking to iFollow Iron, he said: “I’m pleased to sign a new contract. I think it’s been a good start to the season for me.
“I’m playing games and I feel like the gaffer is rewarding me for the performances I’ve put in. I’m really happy with that and I’m happy that I’ll be staying here for a longer period of time.
“Nothing changes for me now either. My heart was always to be here and now it’s for a longer period of time. I’m looking to build on my performances and get better and then, who knows, I could get another contract in another couple of years.”
Beestin was battling for a new contract right from arriving at the club from Tadcaster Albion and didn’t have long to show his credentials before the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed last season. Nonetheless, he’s battled hard to sign what is his third contract with the club.
He also spoke of re-finding his love for the game after making the step back into professional football.
“When you come to a team with a short contract, you’re fighting for the next contract,” he stated.
“I feel like I’ve been fighting for a long time now and I’ve been rewarded. Now it’s about pushing on. Last season, (prior to coming to Scunthorpe) when I wasn’t playing a lot of football, my heart wasn’t really in it. I wasn’t as happy as I was before.
“Since I came here (in January), I’ve been happy. Now that I’m playing, I’m really enjoying it. We’ve got a great bunch of lads and staff and I’m enjoying everything about being here. I’m having a great time and hopefully that can continue.
“It’s never easy when you drop out of professional football and it’s not a nice thing to happen to you. I wanted to get back as soon as possible. Other things outside of football affected me as well, but now that I’m back in it, I want to stay here as long as possible and climb up the table and the leagues with Scunthorpe.
“As a young lad, you just want to play games and that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m very happy here. Every game, I want to better myself and nothing changes for me. I'm going to put 100 per cent in like I always do."
See much more from Alfie Beestin and Neil Cox, along with pre-Southend interviews with the manager and Manny Onariase on iFollow Iron. Click here to subscribe.