Crawley Town sign two strikers

Crawley Town have signed two strikers Roarie Deacon and Lee Barnard on one-year contracts.
By Graham Carter
Published 28th Jul 2015, 01:39 BST

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Lee Barnard brings down Jon Harley Pompey V Bournemouth Fratton Park 18/8/2012 Sat 15:00 ENGPPP00620120819122625Lee Barnard brings down Jon Harley Pompey V Bournemouth Fratton Park 18/8/2012 Sat 15:00 ENGPPP00620120819122625
Lee Barnard brings down Jon Harley Pompey V Bournemouth Fratton Park 18/8/2012 Sat 15:00 ENGPPP00620120819122625

Both players have impressed during pre-season games with Deacon scoring the opening goal in Reds’ 4-0 win against Burgess Hill after just 15 seconds.

Manager Mark Yates said: “We signed them minutes before the game and I’m delighted. They are both really good additions to what we’ve got. They’ll get better and better as we progress.

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“They played together at Stevenage last year. They are both good players.

“Lee has got real quality and is a real team player.

“Roarie can play in a few positions and excites me because of his pace and ability. He’s got a good pedigree and is desperate to do well. They will give us good options in the forward positions and will stand us in good stead.

“They’ve shown the desire to be here, they’ve persevered and have been rewarded. I was desperate to sign them but my hands were a little bit tied.

“We didn’t think we’d be able to do something, but I’ve managed to persuade the people above me that we need some competition for places.”

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Barnard, 31, was part of the Southend squad which reached the League Two play-offs last season.

He began his career at Tottenham and made three appearances for the Premier League giants.

In a career spanning 259 appearances, Lee has scored 77 league and cup goals.

Deacon, 23, started his career as a trainee at Arsenal in 2008, signing his first professional contract two years later.

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After failing to establish himself with the Gunners, Roarie joined Stevenage in 2013 and over the next two years made 43 appearances and scored two goals.

He has also played three times for England under-19s.

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