Notts County goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons has signed a new two-year deal.
The former Bolton Wanderers man, who turned 24 yesterday, proved his quality during a lengthy run in the side this season before he was red-carded for lashing out at a Crawley Town opponent in January.
And the keeper, who says ‘mentality and temperament’ are two of the key skills he’s looking to improve next season, is determined to repay his manager’s faith.
“At the time [of the Crawley incident] I completely saw red,” recalled Fitzsimons. “I just didn’t process it in my mind.
“I’m not generally like that – everyone has moments when they act before they think, and unfortunately that was mine.
“After that, I didn’t really have a case to go into the manager’s office and ask why I wasn’t playing because Adam came back in and was outstanding for us.
“The main aim for me now is to come back and try and claim the number-one shirt – and hopefully help the team to top end of the table come the end of next season.
“I was over the moon to hear the manager and his staff wanted to keep me on for an extended period.”
19-year-old Pierce Bird joins the stopper in penning a two-year deal after a positive year of progression is his debut season at Meadow Lane.
“From this time last year, a lot of things have changed,” said the young centre back. “I’ve been out on loan [to Alfreton and Leek], so I picked up a good amount of gametime, and hopefully now I’ll kick on into pre-season and see where that takes me from there.
“I’m looking to be around the first team and in the matchday squads more than last year. It would be a dream come true to break into the first team and get 10-15 games under my belt.”
Click here to watch interviews with the pair.
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