Tyler Denton: It's a club working in the right direction, and the same direction

Defender Tyler Denton became the latest player to commit his future to the Iron, as he agrees a new one-year deal with a further season’s option in the club’s favour.

The 28-year-old was a mainstay in the side last season, only missing out through a one-game suspension and then an unfortunate injury which curtailed the end of his campaign.

Reacting to remaining at the Attis Arena, he said: “Obviously, I’m delighted to get it done. It’s been well documented that clubs higher up have approached me last season, and even in this off season, but the project that the gaffer has put out to me.

“Ever since Michelle and the Board have come in, I’ve just loved everything about the way they’ve gone about their business. It’s been a big deciding factor for wanting to stay.”

Having been forced off early towards the end of the season against Blyth Spartans, subsequently missing the final league game at Gloucester and the play-off encounter against Boston, Denton gave an overview of how he’s recovering in the close season.

“It’s coming along. I still feel it every now and again, doing certain things, but it’s definitely better than I thought it would be at the time,” he continued.

“The gaffer has been ringing me constantly to check up on me, and telling me not to rush, which is good. Once I’m back off my holiday, I will be back at the club early, and hopefully I’ll then be right for pre-season.

“I was devastated to miss the last couple of games of the season, including the play-offs, and for the club to miss out on promotion is obviously devastating. It’s part and parcel of football, and time for us to put it to bed, get fit and go again this season, because we have the same goals and the same objectives.

“The club have outlined what they want to do, and to have a clear run at it with hopefully no hidden surprises, hopefully it will be a successful season, and hopefully we can finally get that promotion.”

With the majority of the group remaining together for the new season, Denton feels it’s another opportunity to grow and learn from last season’s experiences. The bond formed within the group will allow the side to hit the ground running, right from when the players return for testing in late-June.

“It’s was a big thing in me signing, keeping the lads together,” he continued. 

“It’s a real family club, as players, as fans, as coaching staff and the office staff. It’s a club working in the right direction, and the same direction. It’s massive to me, and I know it’s the same for a few of the other lads I’ve spoken to.

“I’m really excited to work with Andy Butler as gaffer. He’s a young coach, with fresh ideas. From what I’ve spoke to the gaffer about, he wants to be a fit, physical team, and we all want that. The fitter you are, the stronger you are, usually you play better football. He’s made it quite clear that it’s going to be a tough pre-season, but you’d be silly to not to want to play for someone like Butts. His desire, his work ethic, and his playing career speaks for itself.”

The end goal has been labelled as promotion, which will be at the second attempt out of the Vanarama National League North, with the defender alluding to the club’s milestone year, and how poignant it would be to achieve it in a celebratory year.

“It’s a big year for the club, especially considering last year thinking that we weren’t going to get to the 125th year,” he added. 

“It’s a big year, with the same goals, and to get promoted in the 125th year would be a fitting way to mark it.”