Key US trio will be back

May 8 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Eagles’ key trio of Stateside stars have given verbal agreements to rejoin Fab Flournoy’s treble winners for next season.

Trey Moore, Reggie Jackson and Tafari Toney returned to the US on Wednesday with their futures up in the air after enjoying stellar first campaigns for the Eagles.

But in conversations held before they flew to the States, all three assured Eagles chief Paul Blake that they want to return to build on this year’s success in the league, play-offs and BBL Trophy.

The Eagles are also hope to tie up deals for their North East-based stalwarts Darius Defoe and Andrew Bridge over the next fortnight.

It is positive news for Eagles supporters anxious not to see this season’s roster split up after developing into one of the best teams in Newcastle’s history.

Blake will now start the number crunching as he looks to accommodate the probable wage demands of players who have performed above all expectations this season.

But he will be boosted by the apparent commitment of Jackson, Moore and particularly Toney to return to the North East.

‘Tap’, as he is known, has been an instant hit with supporters on and off the court and The Journal understands that he has given a commitment not to join another BBL franchise even if he does leave the Eagles.

“They left yesterday but not before I’d had conversations with all three of them. I would say the indications from all three are that they are keen to return next season,” Blake said.

“Tafari obviously had GB on the mind but when I spoke but he is keen to come back. I think he shares our opinion that another year here is probably the best option rather than moving to Europe too early.

“Reggie feels that he needs another year to build up his experience and so I think his situation should be relatively straightforward.

“It is obviously early days and I don’t want to take anything for granted but I hope the situation doesn’t drag on too long.”

While much of the focus has been on whether Toney, who may have lucrative options in Continental Europe thanks to his British passport, will re-sign, Blake is just as happy to have Bridge and Defoe back on board.

“Darius was the most improved player in the squad in my opinion. He has developed from a junior player with potential into a senior member of the squad who has fulfilled that potential,” he said.

“And Bridgey has been with us a long time – he’s a key player for us. He is definitely someone that we are keen to see return.”

Re-signing most of last season’s roster would leave little room for recruitment, although Blake has not ruled out changes to the squad.

“Our first priority is to get this season’s guys signed up but a little bit of change to freshen things up is always good,” he said.

“They have to be the right players, though, because we see this team developing and moving forward over the next season.”

Such is the youth and potential of the Eagles roster that talk has focused on a possible clean sweep of trophies if they are kept together for next season.

But that has been rubbished by Everton Tigers head coach Tony Garbelotto, who has promised to put together a team to “haunt” the Eagles next season.

“I’m not taking anything away from Newcastle, Fab (player-coach Fabulous Flournoy) has done an incredible job there but I can tell you this now – they will not win three trophies next year, because we will put together a team to haunt them,” he said.