General
- Wednesday November 10th, 2010 @ 14:56
PENDER PUTS PEN TO PAPER
The club is delighted to confirm that defender Derek Pender has re-signed for the coming 2011 season.
Speaking to STPATSFC.COM Derek is looking forward to next season and is hoping to build on the progress made at the club this season:
“Considering I wasn't in the first eleven at the start of the season I was delighted overall with the way the season went for me.
"I think the turning point was the 0-0 draw against Dundalk, I got my chance to start, managed to play well and that coincided with Damian Lynch being out injured for a while.
"I think towards the end, the season began to take its toll, we were a bit thread-bare with injuries and suspensions and we struggled to put out a settled eleven each week.
"The replay defeat to Rovers was very hard to take as was losing out in the Setanta Cup Final, especially as we had played so well against both those sides but hopefully those defeats and the experience will stand to us next season.
"It will be interesting to see who else comes on board next year. You have to welcome competition, I felt competition certainly worked for the team and for myself this year, there was such competition across the back four you knew you had to give 100% in every game just to keep your place.
"It was a long season and with some results going against us towards the end it might have felt even longer. Combining football and work can be tough but I must say I enjoyed it more than any other season that I've had in the league.
"The way Pete and John did things made it that bit easier - pushing us hard when it was needed but also easing up a bit when they saw the games were taking their toll and we looked a bit tired.
"In terms of next season, my intention would be to nail down a first team place, to try and win some silverware and at some stage I wouldn't mind getting my name on the score-sheet and getting my first goal for the club."
Derek is hoping to make the St Patrick's Athletic Supporters' Club end of year night on Nov 20th but with his wife expecting shortly that decision may well be out of his hands.
Tickets are on sale at the club shop, priced at €20.00. Tickets are limited and supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets early.
