Stick together

Dean Furman

DEAN Furman would like Athletic to keep together the nucleus of the current squad in order to aid a push for the top-end of npower League One next year.

Out of contract at the end of this season, the captain proved his fitness by playing the full 90 minutes at Notts County.

Athletic have an option to retain the 23-year-old. Provided his left knee stands up to the rigours of the final seven games, it is hard to see the ex-Rangers and Bradford City midfielder being allowed to leave — and Furman himself is focusing on a Boundary Park future.

“It was mentioned this year that there is a clause in my contract (for an extra year),” he said. “Whether or not that gets triggered is up to the club.

“As a team, for me I would love it to stay together.

“I know it is difficult and that some players out of contract will be moving on.

The Cape Town-born player definitely doesn’t want to let the campaign fizzle out.

“After Brentford, it will be a true reflection of our league position as everyone will have played the same number of games,” added Furman, who will have London-based family members in the stands at Brentford tonight.

“We can move up to 11th. The target is to finish as high as possible, in the top half.”
The full version of this story is availabel in our print and eChron editions