St Neots Town’s new goalkeeper Michael Duggan talks to The Hunts Post after joining from Blackstones

“I couldn’t turn down a move to St Neots Town for a second time.”

Those were the words of Saints’ new goalkeeper Michael Duggan after finally completing his switch to The Hunts Post Community Stadium from United Counties League Premier outfit Blackstones.

Saints manager Dennis Greene revealed last week how he’d tried to snap up the 24-year-old shot stopper after he had starred for Stones in a 3-3 draw against Neots back on February 19.

Duggan said: “After I’d had a really good game against them, Dennis basically just said he wanted to sign me there and then.

“But I’d just got through to a cup final with Blackstones and, as I’d been there all season up until that point, I wanted to see it through.

“Once the season ended, he then asked me if I wanted to come along for pre-season and that he wanted to sign me, so I couldn’t exactly turn him down twice.

“I can tell that they [St Neots] are going to be a great club to play for because they’re going places.”

Duggan was part of the Blackstones side that beat Grimsby Borough 2-1 in April at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank to win the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy – before going on to finish ninth in the UCL Premier.

Originally from Oakham, the Stamford-based stopper also enjoyed a successful spell at Rutland Rangers in 2009/10, winning the Peterborough & District League and Senior Cup double.

During that season, he also made a couple of appearances for Evo-Stik League Division One South outfit Stamford.

“I’m slowly climbing the ladder,” said Duggan.

“I went along to pre-season at Stamford two seasons ago, but there were three other goalkeepers also there, who had more experience than me at that level [Step 4].

“But going to St Neots is a step up in standard again and I’ve always said that I want to play at the highest level I possibly can.”

Duggan also joked that he is relieved to keeping goal for Saints now, rather than trying to shut them out – having had nine put past him in two league games last season.

He said: “They came to Blackstones and won 6-0 straight after we drew 3-3 there. I think we paid for the price for taking points off them.

“The quality St Neots have got just speaks for itself - especially in the forward positions – and it’ll be nice to be standing behind these types of players – rather than having them coming at you.

“But, if and when I’m needed, I’ll certainly be ready.”