AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan has told Marcus Dinanga to fill his boots in League Two after the hot-shot’s signing for Stevenage as a free agent.
Cowan paid tribute to the striker and former vice-captain Ellis Deeney this weekend after both players left the National League North‘s Bucks, Deeney ending his two year spell on Saturday to join Southern League Stourbridge
Pictured celebrating one of his Bucks goals with Deeney, ex-Burton academy, Matlock Town and Hartlepool United striker Dinanga moved on for Friday an undisclosed deal following a successful trial spell.
The 23-year-old scored 11 goals in 30 games last season but opted against signing a new deal at New Bucks Head.
NEWS: AFC Telford United can confirm both Ellis Deeney and Marcus Dinanga have departed the football club.
We would like to thank both Ellis and Marcus for all their efforts at the club and we wish them well with their new clubs.https://t.co/4u4NW7BHGP
— AFC Telford United (@telfordutd) August 22, 2020
Central midfielder Deeney, 28, made 89 league appearances in total for the Bucks, scoring three times. The brother of Watford striker Troy Deeney, the former Aston Villa youth team skipper joined from Tamworth.
Cowan told fans: “We wish both Ellis and Marcus the best of luck moving forward. Ellis has been a huge part of what we do since I took the role as manager two seasons ago. A great guy who typified our work during some brilliant times.
“Marcus now gets the chance to live his dream with league football which means we have had two strikers move to the EFL in two seasons which is a real feather in our cap. We wish Marcus an abundance of goals and look forward to seeing him fulfill his potential.” You can live up your potential with Gclub.
“Everyone at AFC Telford United would like to thank both Ellis and Marcus for all their efforts at the club and we wish them well with their new clubs.”
Dinanga told stevenagefc.com: “I’m really happy to get the contract over the line. I’ve been here for a couple of weeks and the gaffer says he wants me on board. The standard has been very high and the lads have taken me in as one of their own and I’m grateful for that.”
Welcome to #StevenageFC, Marcus Dinanga! ??
— Stevenage FC ?? (@StevenageFC) August 21, 2020
Stevenage manager Alex Revell said: “Marcus is someone we identified at the beginning of lockdown. He scored lots of goals last season and could be a valuable asset to the team. He’s worked hard in training to not only be a part of the group but also show us his talents.
“He’s been fantastic through pre-season and deserves this opportunity. His character and athleticism is exactly what we are looking for, but he also works extremely hard, is a fantastic finisher and has real pace.
“I am delighted for him because when you come in on trial you have to show your talents in a really high-pressured environment and so he deserves his opportunity in the EFL with us.”
In print and online 24/7 as a full digital replica since midnight on Saturday, The NLP‘s news pages are the only place to stay informed and entertained while getting the big picture from across Non-League in one place.
Get ahead of the game with our free weekly newsletter and never take a chance on missing your paper on a Sunday or Monday again!
Subscribe today to have the printed edition delivered to your doorstep or enjoy the full digital edition from the comfort of your own home or wherever you are when it pops up on your mobile or device!
The only national paper devoted to Non-League football, as a digital edition The NLP is available whenever and wherever you want it. Try a free sample of a recent edition today if you’re staying home or on the run. You’ll save cash as a one off or regular digital reader and the pages still rustle like the printed paper too!
Images courtesy of The Non-League Paper & stevenagefc.com, @telfordutd/Twitter
