County sign Team Bath skipper (From South Wales Argus)

County sign Team Bath skipper

11:01am Monday 1st June 2009 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

TEAM Bath skipper Gary Warren has expressed his delight at joining Newport County despite interest from a host of other clubs.

The Exiles clinched a deal late Saturday afternoon for the strong central defender as boss Dean Holdsworth spent the sweltering weekend locked in talks with a player he has been targeting for six weeks.

The 24-year old had a trial at Hereford United and was being targeted by the Team Bath management duo who have recently been recruited by Weymouth, following Team Bath’s resignation from the Blue Square South.

However, Warren has decided to become the third Bristol-based player to join County this summer after Scott Rogers and Dave Gilroy’s arrivals from Bath City.

The Argus understands that a fourth player from the region may also be set to arrive at Spytty Park.

“I had a few offers but the chance to work with Dean Holdsworth as well as Newport County’s fanbase convinced me to join Newport,” Warren told the Argus.

“We played Newport in two games that were mid-table and the passion they showed was amazing, considering at Team Bath we played in front of one man and his dog.

“It was a terrible shame what happened at Team Bath and it’s difficult for all the players, but I am just happy to be joining such a good club.”

Warren believes County can satisfy the ambitions of a player who, the Argus understands, was set to be offered a full-time deal with Hereford United.

“With the players Dean already has and the ones he’s signing, I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t challenge for promotion,” he said.

“There are a lot of Bristol players in the squad, I already know Paul Cochlin, Dave Gilroy and Scott Rogers and I can’t wait to get started in pre-season.”

Manager Holdsworth was thrilled with the capture.

“This signing gives us tremendous strength in depth defensively and gives us the option of playing three central defenders at times if we need to,” he said.

“He’s a top quality player who really wants to come here and he is a leader, a captain, and you can’t have too many of those.”