Richo: We must keep Deeney

Last updated : 09 May 2005 By Richard Brown

Strongly suggesting that the club are not doing everything within its power to keep hold of the 21-year old ‘keeper, Richardson laid the blame at his employer’s door for the Magpies shot-stopper stalling upon signing a new deal with the club.

Deeney: Hot property.
Deeney’s current deal is set to expire during the summer, with the youngster being made available to any interested clubs come 1st July.

Due to Deeney being still under 24, however, the club will be entitled to negotiate the ever-tricky matter of compensation for the player, much like the payments received for strikers Paul Heffernan and David McGoldrick last summer.

Richardson’s scathing remarks come just days after another young ‘keeper – soon-to-be Everton ‘keeper – John Ruddy frustrated the Magpies in their final game of the season, keeping a clean sheet to hold the Magpies to a 0-0 draw at the Abbey.

Deeney – a regular in the Republic of Ireland under-21 side throughout the season – has been one of the club’s stronger performers over the course of the season, only to be over shadowed in the Player of the Year vote by towering defender, Kelvin Wilson.

Perhaps slightly aggrieved by his lack of plaudits, Deeney has been a regular port of call for various higher-division scouts, with Sheffield United currently eyeing up a raid for the young ‘keeper.

And whilst Richardson admits that Deeney is indeed of sufficient quality to play at a higher level, the Notts boss – who will be ousted from his current managerial post over the summer – is unsatisfied in the club’s efforts to tie down the Derry-born goalkeeper with the club.

"There may be a few players who might not be here next season, but if there is one we should be fighting to hold on to, it is him," said the current Notts boss, emphasising Deeney’s importance to the side in the Nottingham Evening Post earlier today.

"They [the club] have made him an offer of a contract, which he has not accepted."

"He is one of the better keepers in this league and we need to make sure he is a Notts County player again next season," Richo added.

"I just hope we are not too late. He hasn't said anything, but I hope he hasn't already got himself sorted out elsewhere. I hope we fight to keep him."

Rest assured that Notts County MAD will bring you all the latest on contract developments over the coming weeks.