Defender bidding to become second graduate

Hendon's Oliver Sprague could become the second Non-League left-back to sign for Stevenage this season.

The Ryman Premier's Greens confirmed on Thursday that the 20-year-old has gone on trial with the League Two club this week. Stevenage are just one of a number of Football League clubs who have expressed an interest in the left-sided defender with Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge and Gillingham all thought to be monitoring his progress.

In a statement on their website, officials said manager Gary McCann would not stand in his way if he can secure a move to the Football League and follow in the footsteps of Wealdstone's Jerome Okimo who was signed in the summer after helping the Stones win the Ryman Premier title.

McCann signed Sprague from EVO-STIK League Southern Division One Central neighbours Northwood last year after he came through the ranks at Farm Park. He has already had his share of bad luck from football’s school of hard knocks after once gracing the same Chelsea youth side as Josh McEachran before a picking up a cruciate knee ligament injury that stalled his progress.

The Greens said: "All at the club wish Ollie every success in any further trials he may have in the forthcoming weeks. Ollie has been one of the many reasons we have started the season so well."

Image courtesy of www.getwestlondon.co.uk

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