Pair sign for Woodley

Woodley Sports have announced the signing of Joe Holt and Mark Whiteside.

Holt spent three years at Wigan Athletic as a professional, making an appearance in the Premier League at the age of just 18 against Portsmouth, but was unfortunately released in June this year, alongside the likes of Jason Koumas and Steven Caldwell.

Woodley`s joint-management team Matt Broadhead and Paul Ogden have been tracking Holt for over two months, and have finally got their man.

“Joey Holt is a fantastic footballer,” said Broadhead. “He has played at the highest level possible in this country, and has all the attributes to do so again. Paul and I have been tracking Joey since his release from Wigan, but these things take time, a great deal of effort and coordination.

“We were confident that once we had the opportunity to speak with him, he would want to come to Woodley, and to say we are delighted with this signing, is a huge understatement.”

On signing his contract, Holt was full of praise for his new club: “The whole club has made a real effort and shown great confidence in me, I have spoken with the chairman Steve Mottershead, the board, and the two managers, and I feel this is exactly the right move for me.

“The enthusiasm shown by Matt and Paul was great, they have introduced me to the rest of the squad and to be honest, I have been taken aback by the quality of players here at Woodley.

“I watched the Tranmere game and Woodley were excellent. There are a lot of young ex-professionals here, who have like me, been released at a young age and are now looking to rebuild their career and get back into playing league football. I fully believe the vision of this football club, and cannot wait to get started.”

Holt has been joined at Woodley by former Glasgow Rangers player Mark Whiteside.

Whiteside also registered with the Steelmen on Thursday evening, and goes straight into the squad for the trip to Farsley FC on Saturday.

Whiteside, an attacking midfielder/forward was another player whom the management team were keen to get in.

“Mark will bring great attacking quality to the side, he will add to what we’ve already got in the likes of Jack Dorney, Bradley Maylett and Sam Hare, a player who can unlock doors and find the killer pass,” said Ogden. “We’re delighted with what we have seen in the last few training sessions. Mark has tremendous feet, great pace and an eye for goal. He’ll be a real benefit.”

Whiteside was also quick to praise the set up at Woodley Sports: “I am quite fortunate in that I know a few of the lads here already. Aaron Chalmers was at Hibernian and John Marsden was at Glasgow Celtic when I was at Rangers. I spoke to the lads about Woodley, and they had nothing but positive things to say. The coaching is first class and equal to anything I’ve seen before. There’s a great team spirit, and I’m sure the lads will make it easy for me to settle in quickly.”

Meanwhile, more great news for Woodley Sports came after midfield trio Jack Dorney, Brad Maylett and Chris Rowney all committed their futures to the club.

Chairman Steve Mottershead was full of praise for the trio, stating: “These three lads have been first class on and off the field since they first arrived for training in pre-season.

“Their desire and determination is an example to everybody. They epitomise the character we are looking for here at Woodley, quality players with quality attitudes.

“I am delighted they have seen their futures lie here at Woodley, they know the vision of the club and are fully involved in helping us deliver that project.”