Wrexham FC keeper Shearer joins league leaders Crawley
Dec 23 2010 by Mark Currie, Daily Post
Goalkeeper Scott Shearer
WREXHAM goalkeeper Scott Shearer has been given a free transfer with immediate effect and will join big-spending Crawley Town on an 18-month deal when the transfer window opens in January.
The departure of the 29-year old former Scotland B international, who joined the Dragons only at the beginning of the season, frees up scarce financial resources for Wrexham manager Dean Saunders, who is hoping to strengthen his squad in the New Year.
It also means Wales under-21 international Chris Maxwell is confirmed as undisputed No 1 at the Racecourse, although Saunders has brought in Cameroon-born Joslain Mayebi as cover, the 24-year old having been training at the club for the best part of three months.
Much-travelled Shearer began the campaign between the posts for Wrexham, playing in the opening 11 league games, but lost his place to Maxwell at the end of Septembers and has since been forced to kick his heels.
Explaining his decision, Saunders said: “Chris Maxwell has done really well since stepping up to the plate and, although Scott has done nothing wrong, he is on a
good wage so I just felt that we could use that money somewhere else.
“Scott is a good professional so he’s not been happy that he is not playing regularly and I don’t want anyone who is unhappy to stay at the club because we have a great spirit in the camp and I want it to stay that way.
“With money being tight at the moment and Scott unable to force his way into the team, I believe this is the best course of action for us at this moment in time. I didn’t really want to lose Scott, but Crawley expressed an interest so the opportunity arose for him to join them.”
A move back to the south of the country will suit Shearer, who spent three years with Wycombe Wanderers before joining Wrexham on a free transfer.
Crawley Town manager Steve Evans said: “Scott is an outstanding goalkeeper and we are delighted to add him to our squad.
“The lad wants to come to Crawley Town and fight for his place in the team – and that he will get with Michel Kuipers. There were a number of good football clubs who wanted his signature but we have been rewarded for our hard work and patience.
“He is well known to Sergio Torres from when they played together at Wycombe Wanderers and of course Danny Hall from his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town; they both could not speak highly enough of him.
“The lad stands 6’3 tall and his kicking is exceptional. I seem to recall he was named in the PFA team of the Year for League 2 in 2009 which is a team selected by the managers in that respective league, so that is further evidence of the quality of goalkeeper we have recruited.”
Following further snow in Wrexham on Tuesday evening, it’s increasingly likely that the Boxing Day clash with Altrincham at the Racecourse will be postponed and a pitch inspection is planned for tomorrow.
And the club has already been warned that prospects for the game at Barrow next Tuesday are equally gloomy.
