Boro boss Graham Westley has admitted he came close to letting Lawrie Wilson leave the club last summer but is delighted he gave the youngster a chance to prove himself. When Westley came back to Stevenage last summer Wilson was heading out The Lamex Sta

Boro boss Graham Westley has admitted he came close to letting Lawrie Wilson leave the club last summer but is delighted he gave the youngster a chance to prove himself.

When Westley came back to Stevenage last summer Wilson was heading out The Lamex Stadium exit door until the Boro boss took the advice of people around the club and decided to give the former Burton man a chance to carve out a future at Boro.

Wilson had to bide his time to make his mark last season but became an invaluable member of Westley's squad during the Blue Square Premier run-in while putting in an assured performance at left back in the FA Trophy final.

There had been fears Wilson would seek a more regular starting place elsewhere but the 21-year-old pledged his future to the club by signing a new two-year deal last week.

Westley said it did not take too much to convince the player his future remains at Stevenage.

"In fact it did not take a lot to sell," Westley told The Comet. "He played a big part in what we did towards the end of the season and the campaign finished on a real high for him.

"He was another player that I did not know when I came back last year. Last summer I didn't know whether to keep him but I took the advice from people around the club and it has been proved right.

"He has a tremendous work ethic and is a very good professional. He is willing to learn and we're really pleased he's staying with us.