Fenlon is Crazy for Ross County
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JIM Fenlon feels ready for the cut and thrust of Scottish football — after being reared in the traditions of the Crazy Gang.
Ross County’s latest signing is too young to remember Vinnie Jones and the posse of Wimbledon hard men that struck fear in England’s top flight in the 80s and 90s.
But Fenlon cut his teeth at the Wimbledon AFC offshoot that has since been embraced by the majority of the Crazy Gang fans.
The 20-year-old right back is aware of the physical aspect of the Scottish game, but far from fazed by the prospect.
"I’m very happy to get this opportunity at Ross County — and thankful to the gaffer here for giving me it," said Fenlon, unveiled as County’s eighth summer signing yesterday.
"I was offered a new contract at Wimbledon but turned it down as I was looking for something fresh to move forward in my career.
"I can’t wait to get started now. Last season and the season before I was playing a lot of games for Wimbledon, where I came up through the youths and won a pro-contract, so I had two years’ experience in the first-team, playing 40-plus games, which will hopefully serve me well in Scotland.
"I obviously know about the big teams in Scotland, Rangers and Celtic, and I’ve watched a few games on telly, so know it’s a good standard.
"But I also know it has a reputation of being a physical league, so we’ll see how it goes.
"It may be an element I have to adapt to, but I come from a club with a long tradition of players who could look after themselves and I like to think I can too.
"It’s a big step up now in Scotland but I feel ready for the Scottish Premiership."
County snapped up strikers Jake Jervis and Liam Boyce, goalkeeper Antonio Reguero and midfielder Joe Cardle early in pre-season.
On Friday, manager Derek Adams added three defenders — Dutchman Jordi Balk, Belgian Tim Dreesen and ex-Leicester City kid Ben Frempah.
All three stand at 6ft 3 ins tall and Adams is convinced his team will have much greater muscle than last season, as well as some keen passers of the ball, too.
Adams revealed he is likely to make it a round 10 signings before the new season kicks-off.
"We probably have a couple more signings to do before the start of the season, but I’m happy with the progress made," he said.
"We’ve now signed four defenders, a couple of whom can play in midfield as well.
"Primarily, they’ve been brought in as defenders, but if we need to move them to midfield at any time we can.
"The lads have ability with ball at feet, as well as being strong physically. Over the years, we’ve tried to pass the ball.
"We’ve taken Jordi and Tim in from Dutch football, Tim obviously being Belgian. He was transferred for £1.3 million in his time.
"Jordi has come through from FC Utrecht and is only 21 and a very good prospect, while we have Ben Frempah and Jim Fenlon coming in from England. They have all performed well."
County, who won 3-0 at Elgin City in their previous pre-season friendly courtesy of goals from Rocco Quinn, Richard Brittain and Yoann Arquin, continue their preparations against Clach at Grant Street Park tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).
ROSS County will be hosting an open meeting at the Global Energy Stadium tomorrow from 7pm for fans interested in establishing a new supporters club.
