It’s official: ‘Double Trouble’ as Owen Haslam & Ryan Smith become the latest players to commit their futures to Buckland Athletic for the 2024/25 season.

Owen Haslam & Ryan Smith, two midfield players join ‘the Bucks’ after departing fellow Western-League side, Torpoint Athletic.

24-year-old Owen Haslam, a former member of the Exeter City Academy joins the club after senior spells at Ivybridge Town and Torpoint Athletic. Owen was awarded the Players’ Player recognition following the 2023/2024 season. An energetic midfield player, Owen’s endeavour is always appreciated by his teammates.

20-year-old attacking midfield player Ryan Smith also joins the club after scoring ten league goals and being named as Torpoint’s Young Player of the Season, in the 2023/2024 campaign. Ryan has also represented the Exeter City Youth Academy as a junior, and has made significant physical strides in recent years. Ryan will be looking to build on a successful 2-year spell at The Mill.

Head Coach Dan Hart said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring Owen and Ryan to Homers. Both of them have a lot of scope to develop and I think we have the tools to make them better, more equipped players.”

“Owen has been someone that a lot of teams will have been interested in for a number of years, he goes about his business quietly and is a very tough midfielder to come up against – I think he had a short spell in his young career where he fell out of love with the game, so this is a good step for him and I’m looking forward to seeing that desire and hunger grow in his game.”

“Smudge (Ryan) has football in his genes, he’s always been technically gifted but has added goals to his game now at this level with Torpoint and that, coupled with his physical growth, made him an instant target for us this summer.”

Everyone at the club is delighted to welcome the pair to The VX3 Stadium, Homers Heath and you can catch them next in our pre-season friendly versus Plymouth Parkway on Friday 19th July. Admission prices for this game are; Adults £7, Concessions £5 and Children (Under 16) £2 with entry paid on the night.

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