Pitchero Non League

Lee Evans

....goalkeeping berth will be one of the strongest in the division next season after retaining the club’s three shot-stoppers.

Both of last season’s custodians, Ryan Price and Lee Evans, are both staying despite relegation from the NPL Premier Division.

Harris will also be signing the club’s hot prospect, Mariusz Kiesel, to league forms and the Polish teenager will join the squad for pre-season training.

The 17-year-old, who is based in Great Barr, was on trial at Coventry City in January and made a one-off first-team debut in March.

Kiesel will get the chance to learn from the hugely-experienced Price, 33, who will be starting his fifth season at The Scholars.

Evans is in his second spell with the club and fought for the goalkeeper’s jersey with Price after his return from Romulus in March.

The 29-year-old has also served Stafford Rangers and AFC Telford United since leaving Chasetown the first time in 2009.

With that in mind, Harris has declared “he’s no No 2′ and expects an in-house battle between the sticks for the season.

He said: “There isn’t going to be a No 1 or No 2, they have both got to fight it out, as far as I am concerned.

“But Ryan staying is great news for us, he’s a top goalkeeper at this level, one of the best I would say.

“He’s a very focussed lad who is ambitious and determined and he’s an excellent trainer.

“That was one of my top priorities, but I am delighted to have both of them on board.”

Kiesel has been earning rave reviews after coming through the club’s academy structure to their highly-successful reserve team.

The Scholars’ second string won the double last season and several of that side will be invited by Harris to train with the first-team.

The new manager, who arrived last month, is keen to see as many “homegrown” players in the starting line-up as possible.

He said: “We like Mariusz and he will be put on league forms for next season, along with joining the squad for pre-season training.

“We will be looking to get him some first-team action, as well, he’s only young but the coaching staff have told me good things.

“If players apply themselves right, they can progress here and that’s something I will be looking at closely.

“Homegrown lads are better than anything. He’s got a good attitude and seems to be a good prospect.”

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