Coleman aims to make the grade
Kidderminster goalkeeper Dean Coleman is determined to nail down the No 1 spot for good next season after signing a new deal.
The 23-year-old penned a one-year contract yesterday, despite a frustrating 2008/09 season which he sat out all together after the arrival of Adam Bartlett, who kept goal in all 46 league games.
But now the England C international has moved on to the Football League with Hereford, the Harriers goalkeeping berth is again up for grabs.
Coleman knows he will never get a better chance than this.
He said: "I know I am good enough to be the Harriers No 1 - now I have to prove it. If I don't, the gaffer will bring someone else in.
"He has told me this is a big season for me and I know that - it's all down to me to make that spot my own next season.
"I am going to get stuck in now and not think about anything else."
The former Walsall youngster admits he would have left the club this summer had Bartlett not left, such was the task facing the No 2 to dislodge his rival.
He was even willing to give up full-time football and move to Hednesford just to play first-team football, while his former club Halesowen were also interested.
But now Coleman has another bite at the Harriers cherry.
He said: "I am 24 in September and need to be playing regularly, so this is my time to get back in the team and stay there.
"I would have left this summer if I hadn't have been given a go, I was going to go to Hednesford and give up full-time football - I wanted to play that badly."
One departure out of Aggborough this week is physio Pete Dugmore, who leaves the club after a season to take up a similar role with the RAF.
The club are thought to be well down the road to appointing a successor.
