Carden snubs Sampson offer

03 August 2007

DEAN Garden has given a big boost to Horsham YMCA ahead of the new season by signing with them. It is the club's second season in the Ryman League and Tommy Sampson's departure to Redhill threatened the leave a big hole at the back as Nick Levett followed him to the County League Division 1 hopefuls. Glen Woodburn and Dean Garden were both approached by John Suter's former assistant, Sampson, but they have decided to stay at Gorings Mead. It was reported on the Redhill website that Garden had signed for them, however, he rubbished those reports. "I'm not sure who put it on there but it was made up by somebody, I never signed anything down there. I have signed back at Horsham [YMCA], hopefully it's all been sorted out," said Garden. "I spoke to Tommy [Sampson] at Redhill, they made me a couple of good offers but I decided to stay with YM. "It was for a number of reasons - mainly to play in front of bigger crowds, on nicer pitches and against better players. "Also a bit of loyalty, John [Suter] said to me I was one of the,reasons he stayed on another year, if me, Woody and Ellis stayed - so loyalty to John and YM came into it," explained the 25 year old right-back and penalty king. "I'm looking forward to the season, I would be happy if we achieved what we achieved last season. "There's a couple of new players and one or two have left like Nick Levett, so hope fully we can do what we did last year." Boss Suter commented: "I'm very pleased he has signed with us, very pleased indeed. "He's one of the mainstays of our team, he has had five seasons with us and I've got used to his ugly mug being around the place. "He stood by the club and I think it is very important - it is for other people to see. It was a good offer from Redhill. Woody [Glen Woodburn] was another one that turned down three figures. "What with Nick Levett there, it would have destroyed my back four, so I'm delighted."