VICS have agreed permanent deals with defensive duo Mike Aspin and Simon Grand.

The pair penned contracts this week that tie them to the Blue Square Premier club until the end of the current campaign.

“It’s a huge boost,” owner Jim Rushe told the Guardian.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact we wanted to get the pair of them on board so I’m glad that’s been sorted.

“It gives them – and us – some security for the future.”

Teenager Aspin has been a revelation since turning up for a trial in the summer upon his release from Championship outfit Preston North End.

He played for free while waiting for a deal, covering for then ousting regular right back Richie Sutton in Vics’ starting line up.

Teammate Grand was rewarded for his fine form with the captain’s armband for last night’s league tussle with Kidderminster Harriers.

“It was an easy decision for me to make once I knew Welchy wasn’t going to start,” said stand-in manager Mike Marsh.

“Grand has been around the block a few times and knows what it takes to win championships at this level.

“He’s a vocal guy back there and brings that bit of experience I feel we maybe lack at times.”

Versatile Grand, 24, made his Vics debut last month after finding himself without a club over the summer when League Two side Morecambe did not offer him a new contract.

He was an integral part of Carlisle United’s Conference title winning team in 2005, helping them clinch a second successive promotion to League One the following year.