As London Skolars head coach Joe Mbu continues to assemble his squad for the 2014 season the club are delighted to announce that three key players from the 2013 season have put pen to paper on new contracts for the 2014 campaign.

Long serving John Paxton, who received the coveted Coach’s player of the year award in 2013, has again committed himself to the club. Paxton had an outstanding season and was a model of consistency making a total of 25 appearances last term and helping the team by playing in a number of positions during the season. Paxton has now made 78 career appearances for the club, scoring 88 points in the process.

Also signing for the club again is Rob Thomas (pictured above). Rob made 20 appearances in 2013, scoring 28 points which included a memorable 19 minute hat-trick against Oxford at New River in May. Thomas has now made 44 appearances for Skolars scoring 44 points.

Sam Wellings, who had previously played for Championship 1 rivals South Wales Scorpions, joined the club at the end of May and made his debut in the astonishing 52-55 victory at Gateshead in June. Wellings went on to make 14 appearances for the club, cementing a starting position in Joe Mbu’s team and playing consistently well.

On announcing the re-signing of the three players head coach Joe Mbu commented: “Whilst we have lost one or two players for 2014 it was very important that we kept the nucleus of the team. In retaining John Paxton, Rob Thomas and Sam Wellings the club have secured the services of three vital players, all of whom contributed significantly last season. With Dave Williams already signed up the squad is shaping up nicely for the challenge ahead.”