WEBSITE UPDATED

[Iron Webbo]

DEAN WELLS JOINS STEVENAGE
Iron agree to transfer request - deal good for the Club
Braintree Town have agreed to a transfer request submitted by defender Dean Wells who will today join League Two side Stevenage for an initial fee of £25,000, that could rise with subsequent payments for appearances, promotion and a sell-on clause. Over the past three years Dean has been an influential part of the Club's consolidation in the top tier of non-League football, playing 120 games and scoring seven goals.
Iron Manager Alan Devonshire was sad to see him leave: "I've worked with Deano for nine years now and when he wanted to take this chance at playing in the League, we felt we couldn't stand in his way, so long as the deal was right for the Club."
Chairman Lee Harding agreed: "Dean has been a great asset for the Club since joining us in 2011 and is the latest player to move on from us into the full time game. Financially, the deal is a good one for our Club and will allow manager Alan Devonshire to not only replace Dean, but also strengthen in other areas." Following the completion of the move Dean Wells said: "Thanks for the way the Club have looked after me for the last two and a half seasons. I wish you all the best in the future as Braintree is a great club with great fans. I will miss you all from the bottom of my heart."

PLAYER NEWS
Sam & Nathan back - but Dan and Dan are free agents
The Club can confirm that Sam Habergham has agreed to extend his contract next season and goalkeeper Nathan McDonald has indicated that he will be returning to Cressing Road for 2014/2015. Neither Dan Holman or Dan Sparkes have accepted the Club's offer of re-engagement and are now free agents to sign for other clubs - who would then be required to pay compensation to Braintree. With the additional funds available from the Dean Wells transfer, Manager Alan Devonshire is already reviewing and planning additions to his squad over the coming weeks as pre-season training and the friendlies get underway. More news when we have it!

FRIENDLY MATCH PRICES AGREED
Discount prices to see - Iron take on the pro clubs at home
Reduced admission prices have been agreed for the four pre-season friendlies scheduled for July. The games against Norwich City, Southend United, Cambridge United and a West Ham United XI will cost just £10 for adults, £7 for OAPs and those still in full time education, £5 for under 16s and £3 for under 11s. All games will be 'pay on the day' and supporters will be able to either sit in the main stand or stand anywhere in the ground.

[braintreeo]

Thanks & Good luck to Dean 100% commitment and a good centre half.

Step up to full time football won't be a problem for him. He could have walked away at the end of last season and probably got a decent slug of signing on fee, must have signed his new contract knowing that clubs would be interested and by doing so BTFC would get a fee, if so a top gesture.

Holman, Sparks and Wells to replace then. Should get £10k for Holman and less for Sparks so Dev will at least have a bigger war chest.

[dbbn]

Anyone else think at £25K we have sold ourselves short?

[braintreeboy]

Yes deffo feel we have sold ourselves short, however not so when you compare it to how much we could have got had he not signed on - zilch! N plus us as supporters generally regarded Deano as irriplaceable.
What a player n good luck to him. He fully deserves his chance

[e7cm7]

Iron Webbo & Co aren't that daft - £25K is initial fee only, additions for appearances, promotion & sell-on could amount to a whole lot more. Still sad to see Wells go, though.

[braintreeo]

He's only worth what people are prepared to pay.

Reading the Stevenage website it says they fought off interest from other local League Two clubs so I have no doubt £25k plus add on's for appearances and promotion plus a sell on is the best that could be secured by the club. Bear in mind this is for a player who has never appeared in the football league and only has a one year contract so as good a player as he is I think it's a decent deal and of course a great opportunity for Dean.

£25k will give Devs budget a massive boost we have to wait and see now where the two Dan's go and how much can be secured from their new clubs to further strengthen the squad.

[baswaldsmate]

Thank god I managed to get deano to sign a contract with Dev's. He could have walked away and we would have got nothing. I wish deano all the best, a true leader and should do well in football league. I Have faith in Dev's management and I am sure he will sign a few new players in next coming week's when pre season starts. Dev's like's to make sure they are fully fit at pre season. I think we may be a more attacking team next season.
I also think we will have a DAN in the team next year ?.

[dbbn]

Jun 20, 2014 21:21:21 GMT e7cm7 said:

Iron Webbo & Co aren't that daft - £25K is initial fee only, additions for appearances, promotion & sell-on could amount to a whole lot more. Still sad to see Wells go, though.

This is all true; but the add ons may never be realised; I would've preferred more money in the coffers now.

[stevet]

Deano drew interest from a few league clubs last season and it was a very good certainly that he would move on. Don't know many players that would sign on knowing a move is likely for them.
His ties with this club and that of devs I'm sure played a big part with that decision.
Best of luck to him.

[chino12345]

Baswaldsmate - last year you have a little clue similar to this about Kenny when you said an England player was signing. So when can we expect more news on this DAN signing? Also, any news on Ryan and Matt?

[baswaldsmate]

Training starting Saturday morning, expect some player's that will improve squad to be signed on Thursday. No names yet until paper work done, but they will get you talking. Spent the day yesterday spraying weed killer around ground, must say pitch and paint work looking good. Did I hint at one Dan in team could be wrong ? Watch the Club's web site. (Away for 7 days see you all Thursday week ) Remember our moto The impossible is possible...Got you all thinking. Barry

[Iron Webbo]

Not wrong Bas, just reconsidering his options maybe?

[ozbrit]

I'm thinking perhaps two Dan's in the squad?

[ironmansimon]

Come on lets have some news, I cant wait much longer. Too many cryptic messages are giving me sleepless nights.

[Iron In Me Blood]

My guess is there will be 2 Dans....
Sparkes and .............. Not Holman!!
If my suspicions are correct we will be stronger up top!!!

[robsmia]

Saw DAN DARE reading The Eagle and DESPERATE DAN reading the Dandy walking in the club house yesterday.

Could be there is something in Baswaldsmate rumour

[siofthetimes]

There's plenty of positive news from Devs in the Braintree and Witham Times this week - on the Dan issue, his striker hunt, players coming back and replacing Dean Wells.

[mooresy25]

Dan Walker perhaps?

[ironmansimon]

Anything?? seriously the wife has banned me from football on tele tonight and i need some good news ?

[castIRONgooner]

Came up the club expectant and couldn't find anyone called Dan!!! Found someone called Richard Nott excited to be started preseason Saturday though!!!

[Iron In Me Blood]

Just plowing through social media as you do on a Thursday evening and came across this........
Welcome back Dan!!

Attachments:

[ironmansimon]

Great news!! Sick of him scoring against us!! Good luck Dan.

[castIRONgooner]

Found this, this morning. Must have missed all the dans last night

Attachments:

[bonzo]

So, the "two Dans" (Walker & Sparkes) have both tweeted that they have signed on for The Iron - good news!
I'd like to join everyone else that wished Deano all the best at Stevenage. We will obviously miss him but he deserves the move. Squad looking better all the time &, with the best manager we've had since I've supported The Iron, I'm already getting excited about the new season!