Midfielder Connor Hammell joins Whitehaven
United midfielder Connor Hammell has joined Whitehaven AFC on a three-month loan deal which keeps him with the West Cumbrian outfit until 4 January 2016.
Hammell, 19, came through the youth ranks at Brunton Park to earn a one-year deal for the duration of this season.
The lively midfielder made his first team debut in the home victory over Northampton Town in December 2015 and made a total of three appearances during the 2014/15 campaign.
Manager Keith Curle said: “Connor now needs to play football. He started the season with the squad and he's been embedded into it. He's been training hard and getting himself up to tempo.
"It's a big jump to go from youth team football to being a team player in the first team. He's adapted well enough to that but he needs a reward at the end of the week, which we aren't able to offer him at the moment."
"The schedule we've had has meant we haven't been able to play enough competitive games for the players who aren't getting those minutes," he continued.
"Connor will now go out and gain the game time he desperately needs. As I say, he's training exceptionally well so he just needs to go and express himself in competitive games.
"We'll keep a close eye on him but, if we aren't able to get one of the coaching staff along to the game in person, we'll get a progress report from every game he plays."
"It's a big jump to go from youth team football to being a team player in the first team. He's adapted well enough to that but he needs a reward at the end of the week, which we aren't able to offer him at the moment."
"The schedule we've had has meant we haven't been able to play enough competitive games for the players who aren't getting those minutes," he continued.
"Connor will now go out and gain the game time he desperately needs. As I say, he's training exceptionally well so he just needs to go and express himself in competitive games.
"We'll keep a close eye on him but, if we aren't able to get one of the coaching staff along to the game in person, we'll get a progress report from every game he plays."
Hammell joined Whitehaven yesterday and played in their Wednesday evening fixture at Boldon.
