Ahead of this Saturday’s last pre-season fixture at home to Guiseley (3.0), and a week on Saturday’s first away league game at Ashington, manager Vill Powell has been on a signing spree.
In comes to the Heffernan Utilities Stadium a new goalkeeper in Harry Garman, 22, who has impressed in trials and previously was with Manchester Metropolitan University and Yorkshire Amateur. Centre-back Jayden Major has joined from Welsh League club Flint Town, while centre midfielder Ashley Butterworth, 22 from Heanor Town and he has also played for Nottingham club West Bridgeford.
Jamie Allsop, 21, a centre-back, has signed from Nostell MW where his father is chairman and Alexander Phillipson, 21 has played for Lija Athletic in Malta, Chesterfield and Matlock Town. Also on board are Jack Crook, 22, a midfielder previously with Harrogate Town U23s and Tadcaster Albion, forward Curtis Peters, 24, from Albion Sports after previously being on Bradford City’s books, Shohaib Nazir, 27, a left back who has come north after playing with Billericay U23s and Ilford Town, Matthew Ingham, 23 a defender from Farsley Celtic, Mach Warne, 20 a centre midfielder from Rotherham Utd, utility player Luca Grant, 19, from Albion Sports and two teenage local players in fullback Joshua Smith and centre midfield Harry Stone.
Captaining the side this season will be experienced defender or midfielder Josh Grant who is in his third spell with the club and will be sponsored by Bernard Moroney, mine host of the Old Pond near to the ground.
Town will know approaching 5pm on Saturday who they will travel to on Saturday, August 19 in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary round as Glossop North End entertain Colne in the Extra Preliminary round. Glossop made history last Saturday when they visited Gigg Lane, Bury for a North West Counties Premier League fixture which was played in front of a 5,451 attendance, a record for that division. The Derbyshire side, relegated last season from the Pitching In National League West Division One were beaten 5-1. Colne were beat 3-0 away to West Didsbury.
Town will be running a coach to Ashington on August, 12, leaving the Dusty Miller at 10.30am on their new Mercedes Executive coach in conjunction with Brighouse Travel.
