Boreham Wood are delighted to announce that skipper Mark Ricketts and the ever-improving Kane Smith, have both signed new contracts with the club.
The influential Ricketts was snapped up from Woking in 2016, while Smith made the two-division jump from Hitchin Town in 2017.
Both players have gone on to become vital members of Luke Garrard’s first team squad this season, and have enjoyed great campaigns to date.
Ricketts is seen as a leader both on-and-off the pitch and is now into his second season as captain of Boreham Wood, having taken the armband upon his arrival in June 2016.
Upon penning the new contract, Ricketts told the official club website: “I am very happy. The gaffer came and spoke with us the other day and it was something that I was hoping would happen, so it is good to sign it.
“I have really enjoyed my time here and this season has been, up until now, very good, and hopefully we can continue that.
“It is an ambitious club, the Chairman and the Gaffer are ambitious people themselves and they have got big plans, in terms of what they want to do with the club and it is just exciting to be a part of it.
“Last year we had a very good squad as well, but this year I think pips it. Even the players that he has brought in recently; some of the loan signings, they have obviously been good signings for the club and hopefully they will help us.”
21-year-old Smith has quickly become a fans favourite, scoring three times in all competitions this season, from defence. Those goals include two superb long-range efforts, against Maidstone and Gateshead.
The wing-back insisted that it was a no-brainer to continue with the Wood: “I am delighted, I was delighted with the offer from the Chairman, but more so, delighted with how the club is going forward and what they have got to give me, so I am excited for the next few years.
“I think for me personally; the management, the staff, the players and the way that the club want to play football are key. I think that the formation suits me to a ‘T’, and it is bringing the best out of me, so I couldn’t really turn it down.
“My time here has been excellent so far. I didn’t think that I would play as many games as I have done, I thought that this year would just be seeing myself in and getting a few games here and there.
“So I am delighted that the gaffer has had the faith in me to start me, and I think that I have done well.”
The duo join Club Captain David Stephens in signing terms until the end of the 2019/20 season, and with midfield linchpin Kieran Murtagh already on a two-year deal, the club will see this as another boost towards their playoff and promotion ambitions in the years ahead.
Luke Garrard said: “Mark has been with us for 18 months now, we signed him last year and I thought that he had a very productive first season with us.
“He has been our skipper for that whole duration and I am hopeful that he can continue his form into his new deal.
“It shows where we are going as a football club, to be offering people the length of contracts that we are. I am just so grateful that he wants to continue that with us and continue building what we want to build at this football club.
“Kane is a pleasure to work with; we signed him during the summer and in his own mind, he has probably played too many games in terms of what he felt would be his progression for the year.
“I just feel that the way he has progressed and the way that he has kicked on, I think that he has done ever so well.
“I am over the moon that we can get him for a further two years and again, I just feel that it shows the progression that we are making as a football club.”
Wood Chairman Danny Hunter simply said: “Other than losing Dean Wells, and that’s a huge loss, its actually turned into a very good January for me and Luke. As we’ve managed to keep all our squad intact through this transfer window, and we’ve actually managed to add some real quality to the squad in Turgott, Davey, Folivi, Harfield and Quigley.
“We have kept our budget very much in check, by making decisions to send back loanees Holman, Johnson, Jarvis and Chesmain. While, loaning out Bradley Sach, Sorba Thomas and Paul Benson.
“We’ve also managed to extend the contract, and secure the services of David Stephens for two seasons after this one. We already have the very influential Kieran Murtagh tied up for next season. So, by re-signing skipper in Mark Ricketts and the very talented young Kane Smith, we are again making those small steps of progress that I feel are needed if we are to be successful.
“So, though myself and Luke are quietly delighted with the signings, we’re certainly not finished yet in regards to this squad, and hopefully we’ll be securing a few others over the coming weeks. With just 15 games left, the league table doesn’t lie, we are excited to be sitting just outside the play offs, we are excited to be just six points off the leaders and trust me, the dressing room and club, is a very happy and positive place to be around right now.”
