neil jenkins

neil has signed a two year contract with crawley town today

[Andy_S]

Would've thought he'd have done better than that. Oh well, good luck to him.

[Phil A]

Hi,

Not quite sure what you mean by that. You finished 17thish in Div 3 and thought he wasn't good enough for you. We (in the Conference) will end up somewhere from eight to 29 places below that next season. It's hardly going from Man Utd to a pub team is it? http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Any other views on him would be welcome either here or on our forum at www.ctfc.net/forum

(Andy_S has found it already!)

Cheers

[Mr Wooly]

Phil,

In simple 'bullet point' format;

Pro's

*Works hard; will always give 100%
*Decent left foot
*Versatile; Can play at left back or left midfield, and could possibly play central midfield
*He's young. Room for improvement
*Would probably chip in with half a dozen plus goals, if he's a regular

Con's

*A tad lightweight; certainly not the strongest
*Lacks a little composure when on the ball
*Doesn't go past he's man often enough
*Final ball can let him down

In summary, I think he'll do a good job for you. Conference level is probably about right, but he's got the potential to play in league football, no question.

I think I'm right in saying some members know him quite well personally on this site and they may be able to give you more info.

Good luck in the conference. Do us a favour and take six points of the marsh rats, theres a good chap!

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Phil A]

Thanks very much Mr W.

Two of Neil's brothers (Mark and Paul) played for us in the mid-90s but it sounds like he's very different to them, a bit smaller and a bit better!).

I'm thinking his main role for us will be left midfield. I suppose we have a couple of months to persuade him to beat his man and deliver the final ball properly.
The hard-working attitude certainly fits in with the players our manager is trying to recruit for our first Conference campaign.

We'll do our best against Canvey (the Rats in question?) for you.

[Javea Shrimper]

He'll do a good job for you, Phil. ShrimperZone sponsored him for his two seasons at Roots Hall and we met him a few times and found him to be a very likeable chap with a definite passion for football. Very good luck to him.

And, yes, please do the Marsh Rats for us ...

http://www2.shrimperzone.com/pics/POTY/POTYJENKINS01.jpg

WS

[Leeboy]

From Crawley Towns Official Site:

16 June 2004
CRAWLEY KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY AS JENKINS SIGNS
Crawley Town manager Francis Vines has bolstered his squad for the club's first Conference campaign by signing left-sided defender/midfielder Neil Jenkins from Southend United.

The 22-year-old England under-20 international is the third member of his family to play for the Red Devils.

Surrey-born Jenkins spent 11 years as a youth player and trainee at Wimbledon before switching to Roots Hall at the start of the 2002/2003 season.

He made over 60 Division Three appearances for the Shrimpers over two seasons, playing at both left-back and left-midfield and scored eight goals.

Neil's older brother Mark made 25 appearances for Crawley between 1993 and 1995, while another brother, Paul played primarily in the Red Devils reserves at Town Mead, although he made two senior appearances.

Jenkins has signed a pre-contract agreement for a two-year deal at Broadfield Stadium, which will commence when his current contract at Southend expires.

Vines, whose first summer signing was Aldershot Town midfielder Nick Roddis, said of his latest recruit: 'Neil fits the criteria that I am looking for in incoming players. He is a good age with Football League experience and it is evident that he has a real hunger to succeed and return to the pro game.'

Jenkins said:'I'm very happy to join Crawley as they embark on their first season of Nationwide Conference football. With my brothers having played for the club, I have always looked out for Crawley's results. I harbour real ambitions to return to League football and have joined a club who share my goals.'

[The General]

Phil ... when you find out the date you play Canvey away, let us know, and if we're at some far-fetched away team, im sure a few will come down and cheer him on to strength the numbers in the away end.

Hope he does well and i know one of the brothers lurked & posted on SZ now and again. SZ sponsored him last season and seemed a top bloke.

Kev

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