COUNTY keeper Ian Ormson has joined Ben Hinchliffe in agreeing a new deal to remain at Edgeley Park next season.
The 23-year-old has now made 110 appearances for the club since making his debut in the FA Cup at Southport in 2011 as a 17-year-old.
Manager Jim Gannon said: “Ian has been behind Ben for most of the season but when he did get his opportunity he did really well and got himself a good run of games where he showed his qualities, and based on his physical stats he’s improving. He’s started to come into training every Monday morning, we’ve got a goalkeeping coach in those sessions and I like the commitment he’s shown and it was an easy decision to give him another year.
“Ian and Ben work really well together, they’re both very capable keepers and with the club moving towards full-time, we’re conscious that Ian could go full-time in the future and we want to have that continuation if we can, so they’re both great assets to the club and this is a position we’ve got well covered.
“We don’t want Ian settling to be a number two, but he’s got a lot of confidence in his own ability and a lot of respect for Ben, so there’s a very good respect and healthy competition between them. We may give Ian another opportunity before the end of the season and I’d have no qualms, because they’re both very good keepers.”
Hear Jim talk about Ian’s signing.
The Runcorn-born stopper kept ten clean sheets in just 18 appearances during 2015/16 to underline both his quality and importance to the squad.
Ian is County’s longest-serving player and is highly-respected amongst his fellow professionals, having trialled at Tottenham and Manchester United as a youngster.
