Danny Warrender comes the the Seals from the North West Counties League 1st Division Rossendale United. Two years ago, he was at Manchester City trying to break into the EPL. From there he went to Blackpool for the 2006 season, and then to Rossendale. 

Paul Aigbogun, Seals Coach, and a defender whose playing carreer took him through Leyton Orient, Gillingham, Halifax, the League Of Wales Portmadog and Holywell Town, met Danny while coaching at Rossendale. Aigbogun knew he was coming out to San Francisco to join the Seals this summer, and felt that Danny would be a great addition to the Seals.  "I believe that playing with us in San Francisco could open other possibilites for him, including a move back up into higher levels of play, or perhaps even coaching" noted Aigbogun.

"Danny lost his way a bit, which happens to a lot of young footballers," Aigbogun said. "He did well when he went to Blackpool, but then he had a bit of bad luck with a contract deal, and he wound up with us at Rossendale.  I think the experience with the Seals will be a positive one for him,” added Aigbogun. "The PDL is a short season, and it will keep Danny working and in game form during the summer.  He can choose then to stay in the U.S., or he can try to get onto a club again back in the UK."

We are pleased to have him join us!

You can read more about Danny and his story online in the Manchester Evening News.

Joining Danny from Rossendale is Bill Robertson. Bill played in the defense as well at Rossendale United.  He has been Team Captain, and was named player of the Season for Ramsbottom United in 2004/2005.

Bill started out playing competitive soccer at 8 years old and went on to sign terms with Liverpool FC, Oldham Athletic FC and Rochdale FC academies. "I then at 16 represented Lancashire FA for two years, as part of the Football Association’s Education Programme, before signing semi-professional terms with Ramsbottom United, Runcorn FC Halton and Rossendale United at a high standard of English non-league soccer," Robertson explained.

"Bill has a lot to offer our community," noted Tom Simpson in his role as Seals Academy Director.  "He has quite a coaching background as well."

"In terms of my coaching background, I hold an English FA Level 3 coaching certificate, and have a vast amount of coaching experience in England, ranging from developing grass-roots soccer in schools, to working with elite players within professional academies and coaching centres. I intend to pass on my knowledge and experience of the game during my stay, and am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to develop the youth of San Francisco" says Robertson.

The next chapter in Bill's playing career brings him to San Francisco to represent the SF Seals.  "It's an opportunity which I am very much looking forward to. I aspire to assist the club in accomplishing a successful 2007 season by bringing my experience of the English game to the SF Seals. During my time with the club, I hope to improve as a player under the guidance of the Seals coaching staff, whilst competing at an excellent standard and also gaining valuable experience in the highly competitive PDL."

Long term, Bill wants to establish himself as a player and as a coach in the US, and to possibly return in a full time capacity whether it be on a playing or coaching basis.

"I look forward to the summer, and hope to meet you during my stay."