UNIVERSITIES' SQUAD

TWO ALTRINCHAM AWARDS AT CONFERENCE AGM

At Saturday's AGM of the Football Conference, Altrincham FC were named as Blue Square Bet North "Community Club of the Year" and received a cheque for £10,000 (seen left). Chairman Grahame Rowley said, "Congratulations to everyone connected with the Community Trust; you're a credit to the Football Club". The directors of Altrincham Football Club Community Sports Ltd are Neil Faulkner, Karen Rowley, Carole Nash, Fred Nash, and Peter Foster. The day to day activities are co-ordinated by Chris Bullock, who is contactable by e-mail or by phone on 0161 928-1045.

And, at the same ceremony, Altrincham FC's Damian Reeves was rewarded with a trophy as the top goalscorer in Conference North for 2012-13. This is pictured, right. Damian netted 36 league goals last season, to add to the 44 he scored in the division last season.

NEW SIGNING

For 2010-11 he joined Kidderminster Harriers, where he remained till the end of last season (2012-13).

Mike has appeared 13 times for Wales's under-21 team and, in 2009, received a Wales cap for playing for their semi-pro international side.

On 29 May, the Worcester News reported that "Williams... was signed in the summer of 2010 and witnessed the club recover from their near miss with administration to become title challengers.

'Kidderminster are a good club, a professional club, and over the last three years I think the club as a whole has got stronger', commented Williams. 'I’ve had three great seasons and, unfortunately, it is now time for me to move on... Hopefully, I can emulate now what I did three years ago, when I was searching for a club, in finding such a good one'".

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

Just six players remain on the club's books after administrators Quantuma Restructuring made 13 redundant. The Hampshire side have £1m worth of debts and owe £300,000 to football creditors, but were voted into the division at the Conference's AGM. Supporters' group The Shots Trust has stated its intention to take community ownership of the club and has instigated a pre-share offer to prove its viability".

According to the Shropshire Star "New Telford signing Sean Cooke is looking forward to playing in front of a packed New Buck's Head next season...

He said, 'I used to go to Telford when they played Shrewsbury. Telford had some good players and they got excellent crowds. It is still a club with a great fan base and I’m looking forward to playing there next season'. Cooke joined the Bucks from AFC Fylde late last month. But he will have to recover from a fractured leg before he can make his first appearance... He is expected to be out of plaster within two weeks and after physiotherapy, he should be able to play a full part in pre-season training, which starts on July 2".

Bulls' News tells us that Hereford United "have won the Conference Respect Trophy for the 2012/13 season. The award recognises the efforts the club, players, and staff have gone to to ensure good working relations with officials, other clubs, visiting supporters, their work in the community, and the behaviour of travelling fans. Awarded by a panel, which checks the official website and other media sources, David Keyte told the official site he was 'very pleased' with the award and that it was 'very much in line with what we are doing within the local community at present'".

Boston United won the Programme of the Season award in Conference North.

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

Firstly, popular and influential midfielder and occasional full-back Andy Holdsworth has signed a two-year deal in a move which chief executive Adie Towers says is aimed to bring the squad extra stability and continuity by retaining one of the club`s most highly-regarded players.

Secondly, a familiar face has returned to the club as Michael Burns re-joins from league rivals Vauxhall Motors, having had a successful season at Rivacre Park following his first stint at Nethermoor in the 2011/12 season.

Finally, young defender Jameel Ible signs after spending time recently at York City. Ible is an exciting prospect expected to bring pace and energy to the right or centre of the Lions defence".

Guiseley have "tweeted" that "The club can confirm Josh Wilson has left Nethermoor in search of higher level, full-time football".

Meanwhile, "Conference North new boys Leamington have announced that Jamie Towers has agreed terms to return to the New Windmill Ground for the 2013/14 season... having made 112 appearances and scoring nineteen goals in two previous spells with the club.

Beginning his career with local clubs Coventry Marconi and Coventry Sphinx, he was a key part of the Brakes' Midland Alliance 'double-winning' side in 2006/07 before a move to Nuneaton Borough.

He returned to Leamington in October 2007... before leaving to join Barwell midway through the following season. He enjoyed a successful four-year spell with the Leicestershire side... Towers notched well over half a century of goals for Barwell.

Manager Paul Holleran was understandably pleased to have further strengthened his squad ahead of Brakes' Conference North debut season, 'We're delighted to have been able to sign Jamie. He's been a key player for Barwell over the last few years and we're delighted to have got him back. He will be a tremendous acquisition to the squad as he is a versatile player who will add further goal scoring ability to the squad'...

Holleran has also announced that Joe Magunda has agreed terms to remain at the club next season. After signing from Brackley Town last summer, Magunda was an integral part of the midfield engine room that helped Brakes to the title".

We learn from Pitchero Non-League that "Matty Dodd and Lee Chilton have become the latest members of Leamington's title-winning squad to agree terms for the forthcoming campaign. The two Black Country-based midfielders were key components of Paul Holleran's side last term, both notching twelve goals for Brakes...

'I'm very pleased that Matty and Lee have agreed to sign up for next season', said Holleran. 'They have both played important roles for us since joining the club'. Meanwhile, the Leamington boss has been busy making moves to fill his goalkeeping positions, with Niall Cooper having left the club and Laurie Walker opting to remain at Brackley Town.

First to arrive is Lewis Fenney, who spent last season with Boldmere St Michael's in the Midland Alliance. The 19-year-old, who has also had spells at Cambridge United and Rushall Olympic, returns to the New Windmill Ground having made one previous appearance for the Brakes back in 2011/12".

From Solihull Moors we learn that "Former Moors' youth team striker, Michael Taylor, has rejoined the club for next season, becoming Marcus Bignot's latest summer signing having previously been with Worcester City. Michael spent two years at St George's Lane scoring six goals in nine league starts last season... With his first team opportunities limited in his first season, he also spent a fruitful period out on loan at Stourport Swifts...

He signed for Worcester from Earlswood Town... Michael's pace and power will give Moors Manager Marcus Bignot plenty of attacking options for next season, joining fellow new forwards Ben Haseley and Aron Wint".

OLD BOY

CHESHIRE NEWS

And Cheshire East Council has acquired the freehold of the club's Moss Rose ground for £285,000.

'This arrangement gives the club the cash flow it needs at a difficult time', said director Barrie Darcie. 'But it also creates a club that will be genuinely owned by and anchored in Macclesfield'.

As part of the agreement, the existing board have written off all loans made to the Conference Premier club. Amar Alkhadi is staying on to become a director of the new company, along with former chairman Mike Rance and Andy Scott... A new stadium will be built in the South Macclesfield Development Area, subject to planning permission being granted.

Said Michael Jones, the leader of Cheshire East Council, 'It is unfortunate that they have succumbed to the financial pressures exacerbated by our current economy. It is in times like this that Council's can and should play a part, after all the club is incredibly important to the town's identity and adds to the visitor economy enormously, providing much-needed jobs and prosperity'".

FINAL TWO FRIENDLIES

• Friday 2 August at 7.30pm, versus Wrexham, at Moss Lane
• Saturday 10 August at 3pm, versus a Burnley XI, at Moss Lane. This fixture and its k.o. time are to be confirmed.

Don't forget that an Altrincham FC season ticket for 2013-14 will get you free entry to the five home friendlies. And there is a £10 discount if your season ticket is purchased before 30 June; full details are here.

JOIN THE PATRONS!

The Patrons' scheme was esatblished as a fundraising mechanism to help the Football Club during the summer months when there is no regular income from the turnstiles. Its objectives remain exactly the same for 2013 and so it is quite distinct from the need to raise funds for the Community Sports Hall, for which fundraising will be made via distinct initiatives.

As such, the Patrons' scheme is a very important part of the club's fundraising efforts. Last season 124 supporters joined the scheme, so the target this year is to beat that! Chairman Graham Rowley writes about the scheme...

For the cost of £50, your name will appear throughout the coming season in the matchday programme as a Patron of Altrincham Football Club. At the beginning of the season, every member will be entered into a prize draw, with the winner being match sponsor for an appointed game along with nine guests. Second prize will be hospitality for five people and third prize will be hospitality for 3 people in the Sponsors' Lounge.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron for next season, please forward a cheque for £50, payable to Altrincham Football Club, for my attention. If you require any further information please speak to me (Grahame Rowley) on 07720-606897 or e-mail me. Thank you for your support.

A list of the 2013 Patrons is here amd will be updated as the scheme develops.

IAN'S COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

His total number of clubs certainly exceeded thirty but it could have been more! Since retiring from playing he has become renowned as an excellent goalkeeping coach and is currently coaching the keepers at Altrincham. He also started up a kit company, originally called Sensport, initially concentrating mostly on goalkeepers' needs, but then blossoming into virtually everything to do with football, kit-wise.

It then became SKkits and is now a well-established company with a reputation for supplying high class products at unbelievably low prices to sports clubs the length and breadth of the UK... SKkits, based in Bury, now has the country’s leading county attached, with Lancashire FA joining a growing number of clubs that have signed up with the brand, including Clitheroe, Kendal Town, Lancaster City and Buxton to name but a few, along with Altrincham in the Conference North.

Pitchero Non-League editor Steve Whitney said, 'I have known Ian for many years. I remember featuring him in Team Talk magazine in the early 1990s and simply listing all the clubs he had played for took up half a page! I have recently purchased tracksuits, training kit and polo shirts from SK Kits for my under-18 team at Wellingborough Town and couldn`t believe the quality for the price! There are loads of kit suppliers out there, but in my 30 years in football management, I have never come across one that is so reasonable in price but high on quality".

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

His most recent club was Hyde last season, but he also had a spell at Colwyn Bay in 2012. Barrow boss Dave Bayliss... said, 'Rob is a good strong defender, who heads the ball well, and that's just what we need'".

And a player leaving Holker Street is the subject of Welsh Premier, which reports that "Airbus UK Broughton have beaten-off competition from another Welsh Premier club to secure the signature of Wales Under-23 semi-professional international Michael Pearson from Barrow AFC. The Cumbrians' manager Dave Bayliss was also hoping to re-sign the 25-year-old central defender, but admitted yesterday that his attempts to contact his former captain 'had come to nothing'.

Bangor-born Pearson is a graduate of Oldham Athletic's youth set-up... He was released in April 2008 after being loaned out to Farsley Celtic between October and December 2007. Pearson... [joined Barrow] at the start of the 2008/9 season... He went on to captain and complete 151 appearances for the Cumbrian outfit".

At Hednesford Town, "There is no doubt that Hednesford Town supporters will be extremely pleased by the news that manager Rob Smith has committed his future to The Pitmen by signing a new two year contract... Smith led his team to an unprecedented treble comprising the Staffordshire and Birmingham Senior Cups plus the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division Play Off Final...

'This squad have been a joy to work with and I was very keen to continue in the development of my team at what is a very appealing standard of football. I am also very content at the club, everyone has been great to me ever since I joined'...

Smith was also buoyed by the news that his previous assistant Larry Chambers will return to the dug out after taking a year long break from the game, with fan favourite Chris Brindley being retained as part of the coaching staff after deputising so ably during the past year.

‘The decision to bring Larry back into the fold was an easy one. He has been my right hand man for twelve years and instrumental in many of the current signings. Also Chris was a great help to me last year and very popular with the players so having them both on board, as well as Steve Wynn, will mean we have a very strong and experienced management team going into the new season'...

‘The players will have a chance to prove themselves in the division. I hope and expect them to step up to the mark... We are undoubtedly going to have more downs than we did last season, so we are going to need the fans’ backing more than ever'".

Histon tell us that "Grant Roberts has signed a contract that will keep him at The Glass World Stadium for another year. Manager Page... commented, 'Grant has become a really important player for us in that holding midfield role... It’s been hard for him at times as he’s been asked to fill in at right back and even on the wing sometimes but once he got a run in the side in centre midfield he was outstanding and keeps getting better and better'...

'With Jay Dowie and now Grant committed for next year we have a strong core to the midfield. Losing Jim Stevenson has left a gap of course but I’m working hard on getting in the replacement I want... We have Eugene Libertucci and Charlie Day as well and scholars such as Peter Clark and Curtis Fulcher that will all push for a chance so when I get that extra body in we will have some good competition for places in the centre'...

Page was also pleased to confirm a number of appointments to his back room team, confirming that Jack Cassidy, Nick Whitehouse and Steve Linger will continue at the club whilst Lee Layton joins the team.

Cassidy is the tutor for the Scholarship Programme... Whitehouse has been with the club since being recruited by David Livermore in 2011. Livermore had worked with Whitehouse previously whilst both were at Barnet and the Sports Therapist has since become a vital part of the team... Steve Linger will continue to work with the First Team and Scholars as Strength and Conditioning Specialist...

Lee Layton is a new name on the team sheet but Page has used the scout’s services before... It is hoped that further news on signings and staff appointments will be released soon".

Reports from Solihull Moors say that "At the end of the season Manager Marcus Bignot moved quickly to offer all of his current squad terms for next season, however two players have since informed the club that they are now speaking to other teams.

Winger Dior Angus and defender Danny Spencer are currently in talks with other clubs. After being promoted from the youth team last summer and having an excellent first season at senior level, the club hoped Dior would continue his footballing education with the Moors next season, as he looks to fulfill his ambition of playing in the Football League. He is currently in talks with a Conference Premier side...

Defender Danny Spencer is also in talks with other clubs as the financial restraints of next season's budget meant that, at this time, we could not offer terms that were acceptable to both parties. In light of these impending departures the club are pleased to announce three more signings in Tamworth right winger Peter Till, and Gresley duo Jordan Gough and Michael Nottingham.

27 year old winger Peter Till came through the youth system at Birmingham City... He spent three seasons [at Grimsby Town] making 80 appearances for the League Two side. After his release he joined hometown club Walsall for an injury hit season, and then joined York City where he made 45 appearances in the 2010-11 season. He then moved to Fleetwood Town... joining Tamworth for last season, where he made 33 appearances.

Jordan Gough is a left-sided defender and joins us Gresley. The 22 year old joined them in 2008... Although primarily an attacking full-back, his attributes mean he can also play on the wing.

Centre-Half Michael Nottingham joined Gresley in 2011... He previously had spells with Redditch United... Michael is a commanding ball-playing central defender".

According to its Twitter feed, "GuiseleyAFC have signed 19-year-old defender Jameel Ible, formerly of York City... The club can confirm Andy Holdsworth has re-signed for the club while Michael Burns returns to Nethermoor from Vauxhall Motors".

OLD FOES

Away fans will be relocated to the North Stand, which will remain a terrace".

JAMIE'S INJURY

ALTY LIFT THE MANCHESTER FA YOUTH CUP

In the latest ending to a season that most Altrincham supporters could remember, Altrincham FC Youth completed the season on a high note with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday evening over Stockport Vikings in the Manchester FA Youth Cup Final at Ayrshire Road, Broughton, Salford. The deciding goal arrived after 29 minutes through Rob Gilroy. Match report here. Above, the lads and the management team are pictured after being presented with their medals and the trophy.

BSBN NEWS

Heeley said, 'We cannot speak highly enough of Tom and he is seen as the key player we would like to build the team around. It would have been easy for Tom to leave the club this summer as he had a number of offers that would turn some players' heads. Tom is a very intelligent and honest individual and he placed his trust in what the management team had told him and decided to be patient and bide his time before making a decision.

The signature of Tom will signal that although there are financial restraints as with most football clubs, we aim to be very competitive next season and this news will enhance our chances of further encouraging signatures in the coming weeks".

Off the field, the Worcester News reports that "The city council’s deputy leader... Councillor Geoff Williams said he wants Worcester City FC to find a new home as quickly as possible, and has even suggested the authority is sitting on 'various pieces of land' which could help.

The Labour politician... says he would be 'prepared to talk to the club about their future needs'. His rallying call raises the prospect of the land at Bilford Road, in Perdiswell, being contemplated as a serious location for the project. Back in January the football club’s supporters trust revealed its own proposals for a 4,130 capacity stadium on the site, which is council-owned.

The authority did have talks with the trust over the proposal but no planning application was ever submitted... Coun. Williams said, 'The city council owns various pieces of land around the city and will be prepared to talk to the club about their future needs. We believe a successful football club adds to Worcester's sporting and cultural life'.

The council’s managing director Duncan Sharkey helped facilitate the talks between Worcester City and St Modwen which led to the club being released from the Nunnery Way contract... after it became apparent the deal could see the club go bust because of a looming sizeable six-figure capital gains tax bill. As your Worcester News reported yesterday, it does mean the club faces paying St Modwen a substantial six-figure fee for work already done on the defunct Nunnery Way project, although it can now finally look elsewhere for a new home".

According to NL Daily, "Highly-rated Gresley FC defender Jordi Gough has left the club to sign for Solihull Moors... after four successful seasons.

[Manager] Rowe said, 'Jordi has been the best player at the club for the last few seasons and, although I'm sorry to see him go, the step up to Conference North is a good move for him'...

Gough made 159 appearances for Gresley, scoring 17 goals since joining the club in 2009... Gough, who also spent a year at Derby County as a schoolboy, made the left back slot his own in recent times and also impressed further forward on the wing and in central midfield".

In the Leamington Courier, we read that "Liam Daly and Richard Batchelor have become the first of Leamington’s squad to commit to the club for next season. The duo swept the board at Saturday’s end-of-season awards presentation and Holleran said...

'I’m delighted to secure both their signatures', said Holleran, who revealed talks were still ongoing with other key members of the championship-winning side... News of their retention has been tempered somewhat by the shock departure of 2011/12 Player of the Year and club captain Jamie Hood.

Hood has been an almost ever-present at the heart of Brakes’ defence since joining them from Halesowen Town in 2010, forming a formidable partnership with Daly. However, Holleran said off-field concerns were behind the decision to sever ties with the former Sutton Coldfield and Atherstone man. 'Last season there were concerns about Jamie’s work commitments', said Holleran. 'We’ve had a couple of chats since the end of the season and we both think it’s the best thing to part company'...

Goalkeeper Niall Cooper has also left Leamington after finding his playing opportunities limited during the second half of last season".

Meanwhile, Leamington "are pleased to announce the signings of central defenders Paul McCone from Stourbridge and Josh Green from Brackley Town.

22 year old McCone skippered the Glassboys last season as they pushed Brakes all the way in the Southern League Premier Division before losing out to Gosport Borough in the Play Offs. He spent 10 years at Wolverhampton Wanderers as a youngster...

Josh Green began his career at Luton Town, going on to play for Woodford United before joining his home town club Brackley Town, where he went on to make over 200 appearances. He spent the majority of last season on loan at Bedford Town, and is renowned for scoring goals from set pieces...

Paul Holleran was happy to have clinched his first new signings of the summer, saying 'It's a great coup for the club to have been able to sign two players that were up there with the best centre backs in the division last season. Both Paul and Josh will create competition for places in the squad'".

Another promoted club, North Ferriby United "have made four new signings for their debut season in Conference North. Danny Hone is a defender who has joined from Gainsborough Trinity. He has previously played for Lincoln City, Darlington, Barrow.

Jamie Yates is a right-sided midfielder who has also joined from Gainsborough. He has played previously for Rotherham United, Burton Albion and Boston United. Jonathan D'Laryea is a midfielder and an England C international. He has signed from Gainsborough Trinity. Jonathan has also played for Manchester City, Northwich Victoria and Eastwood Town.

Matt Wilson is a central defender who has signed from Alfreton Town, though he was on-loan at Guiseley. His previous clubs include Darlington, Grantham, Worksop Town and Boston".

According to This is Glos, "Experienced central defender Chris Holland has parted company with Gloucester City after just one season of his second spell with the Tigers... A string of niggling injuries limited his involvement in the second half of the season and Tigers boss Dave Mehew admitted that the time was right for the defender to move on.

Revealing that he initially wanted to keep the rugged 32-year-old, Mehew confirmed that after talks, Holland has left the club. 'We wanted to keep Chris for next season but it had to be on our terms', Mehew said. 'With the way we operate with a small squad I need my pound of flesh from the players and need them to play all the time. Chris has got some commitments with work that make it difficult so we've decided it's best for him to move on'...

Mehew has no plans to seek a replacement from outside of the club for Holland; instead he wants to develop Jack Harris into a centre-half to compete with Tom Hamblin and skipper Matt Coupe. Versatile Harris, who turns 24 on Friday, has mainly operated at left back during his Tigers career but Mehew is keen to develop his game in the coming months.

'We're definitely going to look at turning Jack Harris into a centre half. He coped admirably when he played there last season', Mehew said... 'He's a big lad with a bit of pace and good left-footed centre-halves are difficult to find. We will start the season with Jack, Matt Coupe and Tom Hamblin as our centre-halves and I'm also going to look at a couple of younger trialists in pre-season'".

Meanwhile left-back Danny Andrew, who ended the season with the Tigers after his release from Cheltenham Town, is believed to be interesting Grimsby Town. Lincolnshire native Andrew is also wanted by recently promoted Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town".

MANCHESTER FA YOUTH CUP FINAL

COME AND HELP, PLEASE!

SEASON TICKETS, 2013-14

"Season ticket prices will remain the same as last season with the £10 discount if purchased before June 30th 2013. A season ticket also entitles you to free admission to all the pre-season friendly matches at Moss Lane.

We hope that we can rely on your support again this season and look forward to seeing you at Moss Lane in July. Please supply your email address if you have one as we are attempting to update people with information throughout the season. TASC, our Supporters' Association is also keen to extend its membership which costs just £10 per year. Please consider joining and achieving TASC’s target of 200 members".

Full details are here.

WIN £1,500 FOR £1

DUNCAN'S FEET REMAIN ON THE GROUND

That crushing blow ensures Watmore will not get too far ahead of himself; so much so that he will continue his Finance and Economics degree while at the Black Cats.

'I've always recognised how volatile the football world is', he told the Daily Mail. 'One minute you're making it, the next you're gone. So I've always thought, no matter how successful I get, I was always going to stick with my degree and make sure that was the main thing. I want to prove myself and, hopefully, I can. I'm looking forward to doing so. My main focus is just to become a better footballer.

I'm looking forward to it, definitely. But I'm moving to live on my own, and I'm going to be in a full-time job while studying. It'll be hectic... It all happened within a week. They put in a bid, then they negotiated', he added. 'Four or five days later they said they agreed and then, two days after that, they invited me up for the medical. It all happened very quickly. I wouldn't have predicted this two months ago. It's all been so crazy for me, and it's come out of nowhere. All this season I've just been thinking about doing well for Altrincham. I assumed I'd be there next season, and then this offer came along'.

Watmore is also excited to work with new Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio, who has introduced a much stricter disciplinarian regime since taking charge of the club in March, something Watmore agrees with. 'I think whatever changes he does bring will be for the better of the club', he said. 'I'm very happy with being disciplined and I think it's very important. Keeping the players in line is a good thing. The aim is to be working under him, so I want to get that opportunity and hopefully if I play well, I might get the chance'".

And the Daily Mail invites us to "Meet Di Canio's first Sunderland signing, he's 19, played with Cantona, is still at university and his dad's a former FA boss (no pressure, then)... Duncan Watmore, the 19-year-old striker, son of former FA chief executive Ian Watmore, recently signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light and will be joining the Black Cats in July..

Sunderland fought off competition from a number of interested parties to land Watmore... 'Peterborough were apparently watching,' he added. 'And maybe a couple of others, but I never heard anything. I only ever heard of Sunderland's interest about two-and-a-half months ago. I was a bit shocked. It was a nice feeling, but I obviously didn’t get ahead of myself at that point'...

'I've always like Sunderland,' said Watmore Snr [Duncan's father, Ian], an Arsenal supporter. 'I saw them play in the 1973 Cup Final when they beat Leeds 1-0. It was my first trip to Wembley so I've liked them since them'".

Duncan added, "If I can get into training with the first team that would be awesome but I’m not really thinking about that for now. I’m just going to try and play my best at the development squad and see how much I can step up... I’ll just try and keep the wow factor of it all back".

Ian continued, "We never thought that football was the only option for him because he's a bright lad and we know what careers in football are like... So we always made sure that he had a lot of strings to his bow.”

After his release by United, Duncan "found himself spotted once more, with George Heslop inviting him into Altrincham’s youth team at the age of 17".

Accompanying the article are images of "eight-year-old Duncan Watmore, at his school fair" and Duncan at Manchester United's Academy and playing for Altrincham.

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

Groves, a former Bristol Rovers trainee, was the main man in Yate’s superb FA Cup run last season which saw them defeat Blue Square Bet Premier Play-off winners Newport County before being defeated by Cheltenham Town in the First Round. Wilson, who has played 13 times for the club, spent much of last season plying his trade in the Southern League for Yate and Cinderford Town

The moves from Southport to Telford continue as the Shropshire Star confirms that "AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson is hoping to hold talks with Southport defender Chris Lynch about a possible move to the New Buck's Head.

Watson is currently in the market for another centre-half and has been told the Sandgrounders stopper would be available on a free transfer... Watson, who took over the managerial reins at Telford in early May, has already brought in one ex-Southport centre-half, Simon Grand...

Watson said, 'He would be a third centre-half and for a young lad he has got quite a bit of experience. He can play either on the right-hand side or the left-hand side of a centre-back paring very comfortably and he can also play right-back... He will dig in for you. On a rainy day at Bradford Park Avenue he would be a good sort to have around'.

Lynch, a former Burnley player, has worked with Watson before, having joined the current Telford boss's previous club Southport last summer from Stalybridge Celtic. Watson is also hoping to make further additions to his squad... He is looking to bring in another striker... Telford have already brought in two forwards recently, in Tony Gray from Chester and Adam Farrell from FC Fylde".

According to the Football Conference, "Fans' favourite Steve Basham has agreed a new contract to keep him with Oxford City for the forthcoming season. Thirty-five-year-old striker Basham hit five goals in twenty-nine appearances last season and is preparing to do it all over again

Basham said, 'We’re still in the North division, so that’s a few long treks, but I didn’t find it too bad last season. Saturday’s a write-off anyway, but at the end of last season we had all those games, City played eleven matches in April, in midweek. It’s difficult having to leave work and then travelling for four hours by coach to places like Bradford and Stalybridge. It was a bit crazy. That was down to that four-week spell in March where we didn’t play because of the bad weather'...

He remains level-headed about their prospects for the new campaign, adding, 'If we can improve on tenth, that would be a fantastic achievement. I’ve got some exams to sit and then I’m off on holiday before we’re back for pre-season training in the first week of July'.

Influential central defender Chris Willmott, has also committed himself for next season, as have midfielders Liam Malone and Callum McNish, plus defender Paul Stonehouse, with new deals offered to the rest of the squad still to be confirmed.

And manager Mike Ford is set to sign striker Mike Symons from league rivals Worcester City... He added, 'He scored twice against us last season and was a real threat'. Goalkeeper Mark Scott who was briefly with the club in the 2011/12 season has also agreed to put pen-to-paper".

Meanwhile, "Gainsborough Trinity have lost both winger Terry Hawkridge and defender Luke Waterfall to Scunthorpe United on one-year deals. Hawkridge... jumped two divisions from Carlton Town to Gainsborough via Hucknall Town and has now leapt two more... The 23-year-old wideman, who can play all across the midfield, joins after impressing during his year-long stay at the Northolme. With the player being under 24, a fee will be agreed for his services.

Twenty-two-year-old central defender Waterfall started his career with Barnsley and was a regular for their youth and reserve teams during the 2007/08 season. After being released he signed as a youngster for Tranmere Rovers... He joined then Conference Premier side Altrincham [on loan] that October and made one substitute appearance in a 2–0 defeat to Weymouth.

After leaving Tranmere in May 2009, Waterfall signed for Ilkeston Town... He then signed for Gainsborough in May 2010".

Elsewhere, "Boston United have completed the signing of striker Ricky Miller from Stamford AFC. Miller, who played for the Pilgrims during 2008/09... has been snapped up by manager Dennis Greene as his fourth summer signing...

Greene said, 'Ricky brings along a proven goalscoring record'".

As well as losing two players, Gainsborough Trinity announce that "boss Steve Housham has secured the services of captain Michael Leary for the upcoming season... Housham has now managed to secure seven of last season's squad, this with Player of the Season Dominic Roma having agreed to a pay cut to remain at the Northolme".

Harrogate Town say that "Hot on the heels of the arrival of Anton Brown, we are very pleased to be able to reveal that striker Chris Hall has joined us from Stalybridge Celtic.

Chris, 26, is an established striker at this level... During his career, Chris has played for Oldham Athletic, Stalybridge Celtic, Bradford Park Avenue and Mossley AFC... Chris is also becoming very established in the acting world, having had parts in Grange Hill, Hollyoaks and the Accused to name but a few and we are very confident that he will be a hit, both on and off the pitch!"

At Histon, "Goalkeeper Calum Kitscha is the latest of last year’s squad to put pen to paper, signing a new contract that will keep him at Bridge Road for another year. Manager Brian Page has added to his squad for 2013-14, securing the signatures of Zak Mills and Charlie Day for another season whilst re-signing Eugene Libertucci. All three are products of the Histon FC Scholarship Programme and join Jay Dowie and Kaine Sheppard in signing on the dotted line for the coming season".

TONY'S TRIBUTE

An image of the recent Tribute to Tony Sanders, the most successful manager in Altrincham FC's history, is shown, right, courtesy of Nic Seller. It shows, left to right, Tony Sanders, John Rogers, John King, Jeff Johnson and Graham Heathcote.

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

We know all about Tony; he's got good experience and great distribution which is something that we lacked last year. I think he'll be a fantastic signing. I know Liam rates him very highly as a lad and as a goalkeeper. I know he's top-drawer and he won the Conference Premier Player -of-the-Year trophy two years ago. For a goalkeeper to do that in non-League football is phenomenal. I had to keep this very quiet and we moved to sign him the day after he got released by Altrincham. So that's how quickly we moved. We've been looking at him for a while...

Now we've got to make sure we get two good centre-halves in front of him and that's the next priority now, to fill those two positions... We said all last season that we lacked a bit of strength down the spine of the side. That's what we've got to get right... Tony will be a massive part of that spine for us...

Telford are going out and signing everybody, they're all top-drawer players. But we know what we can afford and we can't live with the likes of Telford. So we've got to move a little bit in a shrewder way and get different types of players in...

A new training ground? He added, 'There's no rush, but there are one or two in Manchester and Preston. The way I stand is the majority of the players we'll have will be from Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackburn. So Manchester and Preston are not bad areas... Pre-season is very important to us this year because we'll probably have a new squad of players so we need to get things right on the training ground before we go back".

At Solihull Moors, "Manager Marcus Bignot has further added to his squad this week with the signing of striker Aron Wint. The 20 year old becomes the Moors fourth new signing of the summer as Solihull continue to build for next season. Aron progressed through the youth ranks at Coventry City until being released at the end of 2008. He then joined Scunthorpe United... He had loan spells with Belper Town and FC Halifax Town before being released by Scunthorpe in the summer of 2012. Wint then joined Hinckley United making 25 appearances for the Knitters last season, scoring five goals".

Stockport County "are pleased to announce the signing of Keiran Charnock. The central defender is no stranger to Edgeley Park having spent the last two months of last season on loan with the Hatters from Fleetwood Town.

Charnock began his career at Wigan Athletic as a product of their youth system. Having spent time out on loan at Conference side Southport he joined another Conference outfit Northwich Victoria having been released by Wigan... before moving to Peterborough United... After a loan spell with Accrington Stanley he joined Torquay United before moving back North to Morecambe. Charnock was a member of the Fleetwood Town side that won promotion to the Football League in 2012.

Charnock told the club website, 'Having played at Edgeley Park for and against County, I know how the supporters get behind the team. Unfortunately I missed the last few games last season but I loved being at the club and am delighted to be able to join in time for the new season when, hopefully, my experience will prove invaluable to the team'".

NW NEWS

Following the liquidation of Chester City under Vaughan, where he became the first person to fail the FA's 'fit and proper person test', Chester FC was formed by a group of supporters and the club have just won promotion to the Conference Premier".

SHAUN'S PET HATES

Shaun's other pet hates include "big-time Charlies" in non-League. Shaun mentions how "The chairman paid for us to go on a holiday this year as a reward for making the play-offs and doing well in the FA Cup. While we were there we saw a player, now in the Championship, who I marked out of the game in the Conference a few years ago. WE went over and were winding him up... He stands there and says, 'Get your wallet out and we'll see who the best player is'. You wouldn't believe how many players are like that. I even had someone say it last year in the Conference North! I just thought, 'Come on mate, get real!'"

Also in the NL Paper, Stuart Hammonds has a piece speculating on Damian Reeves' future and quoting Lee Sinnott as to why the prolific striker has not moved on. Lee says, "First game of the season, if Damian Reeves is wearing the no.10 short, then I know he is staying. But we go through this every summer. That's not setting alarm bells ringing. He's under contract to us for another season but people are aware of the stipulations within his contract where, if a League club comes knocking, he is able to take up that opportunity, if he so wishes.

That is always at the back of our minds but we have to plan that Reevesy will be with us next season". As for why he has not gone, Lee added "Maybe you're looking at his age and people are a little unsure". And Hammonds says that an anonymous "leading [?Conference] Premier boss said to me recently, 'I've watched him five times, he's scored eight goals but he's done nothing for me'".

And the reporter adds "He's certainly not a player who will be dropping deep to receive the ball, helping out in his own penalty area, climbing high above centre-halves to win flick-ons or generally tearing around, being a nuisance... He is a poacher".

Lee says "If there is no end-product, you don't win games. That is as vital as the phase of play. Other people's loss is our gain".

DUNCAN GRATEFUL TO ALTY

'There’s so much I’ll miss; the players, the management and the chairman, they’ve all been so good to me', said Sunderland’s newest recruit. 'I feel so at home at Moss Lane. It’s my first-ever club, so it’ll always have a special place in my heart and I’ll always be a fan of Altrincham'...

Watmore thinks that even though the leap from the youth team to the first team was a tough one, it resulted in an improvement in his game. 'It was a massive step up at first', he said. 'I was doubting myself but, I think, within a couple of months I got used to it and it definitely made me a better player, knowing that I had to improve. My decision-making got better. At the start I didn’t know where to pass, when to shoot, and it definitely improved while I was there'...

'There were a lot of the players who were really good to me', he said. 'The skipper Shaun Densmore is always really good with the young lads, and Damian Reeves is obviously an unbelievable strike partner. He’s so laid back but he’d always encourage me. There’s such a good balance to the team, everyone plays their part'.

Dad Ian Watmore, former FA chief executive, played a key part in developing his son’s affection for the Robins. 'I was an Arsenal supporter but I switched to Altrincham when we made the move up north', said Watmore senior, who first took his son to Moss Lane at the age of four for his very first football experience...

'All we were thinking about was promotion', he said. 'It hadn’t crossed my mind about Sunderland since I got injured. I got back for the [play-off] semi-final, so I was really chuffed, but unfortunately injured it again in the second leg. It was such a shame for the team and the fans that we missed out'.

The next challenge will be balancing his degree in Finance and Economics, which he will be transferring from Manchester to Newcastle University, alongside playing with Sunderland. But the former Cheadle Hulme School pupil is determined to continue... 'One injury and you could be done', he said. 'I think education is so important. I quite enjoy it as well. It gives me a focus'".

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

If they had been tied into the deal to build a new stadium, the Conference North outfit could have faced closure... The agreement will allow Worcester to meet their capital gains tax commitments, as well as still having money left to go towards a new stadium in the city. They were due to hand over the remaining £1.3m from the sale to St. Modwen for initial land and infrastructure costs at Nunnery Way, but the club would then have been responsible for the crippling costs of the new stadium.

The club, who thanked St. Modwen for 'accommodating their request to terminate the contract', have yet to comment on the search for other sites where a new ground could potentially be built".

MANCHESTER FA YOUTH CUP FINAL

COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL PLANS SUBMITTED

The application number is 80669/FULL/2013

On the Planning Application Search Results page, click on the application number, and you will find displayed the details of the application. Towards the bottom of this page, by selecting 'Comment on this application' you will be able to enter a letter/email of support. These are required by June 14th. We are led to believe that these really do carry weight so you can do your bit by writing to the Chief Planning Officer. Letters from outside Trafford do count as long as you travel into Trafford, and are a potential user of the Community facility.

We have already received a letter of support from MP Mr Graham Brady, and a copy of a letter of support sent to the Chief Planning Officer from the Altrincham Chamber of Commerce, who are always very supportive of the Football Club. We believe that a target decision date is August 20th".

MATCH OF THE DAY

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

He has been so popular with the Alfreton faithful that he won their supporters’ player of the season [award] for the 2011/12 campaign as well as the coveted players’ player and supporters’ player of the season awards in the 2007/08 campaign.

Brown’s career started at Central Midlands League side Greenwood Meadows... Joining Mansfield Town’s youth set up, he... wasn’t able to make it into the Stags first-team... He was quickly picked up by Alfreton... it was a conversion to centre midfield in 2009 that paid major dividends for both club and player... He is also seen as a 'very good athlete' and should bring a new level of movement and play to the centre of our midfield'" reports the club.

From This is Glos we learn that "Matt Liddiard can grow to be a key part of a new-look Gloucester City midfield after agreeing his first semi-professional contract with the Tigers. The talented teen made a breakthrough into the City side last season and his form has earned him a one-year deal with his hometown club.

He joins midfield partners Tom Webb and Lewis Hogg in committing for the new season as boss Dave Mehew looks to strengthen his squad... Mehew hopes to make three summer signings, with midfield versatility sure to be on his hit list...

'I think as the game changes we have to look to make changes to suit, even at our level', Mehew said. 'Not many teams play with two strikers anymore and often you can get outnumbered in midfield as a result and so I am looking to give myself some different attacking options in midfield. We're looking to bring some attacking players in, but it won't necessarily be strikers in the old-fashioned mode because those are perhaps becoming a thing of the past.

We have Tom Webb and Lewis Hogg agreed for next season and I am delighted to give Matt Liddiard his first contract as he's definitely earned it. He will be more involved next season than he was last and I hope he can keep developing and become one of the lynchpins of the side in the future... Add in Darren Mullings, who I am confident will sign when he gets back from holiday, and we've got a good mix'.

Of the remaining midfield players from last term, only Steve Davies and Adam Mann have yet to commit to the Tigers for the new season. Davies will be invited back for pre-season training and offered terms, with Mehew keen to keep the pacy Welshman due to his versatility.

But Mann's future will not be decided in the near future as he is currently away coaching in Kansas and is not expected back until a month after the campaign starts... Mehew has agreed new deals with striker Darren Edwards, goalkeeper Mike Green, Jack Harris and Joe Parker. He is still speaking to the remainder of last season's squad with the intention of keeping them all signed for next season".

In the Worcester News we learn that "With his playing budget for next season having finally been sorted out, Worcester City manager Carl Heeley has stepped up his squad building...

Manager Heeley, who this week committed his future to City alongside assistant Matt Gardiner... said, 'We have now been able to agree deals with goalkeeper Matt Sargeant and defenders Shabir Khan and Ellis Deeney, who have committed their futures to us. Young right-back Josh Smith, who came through the college academy and played a couple of times late last season, has also signed.

We have signed young Daniel Williams, who is a really quick wide player or forward and has great potential for the future. Another with massive potential to have agreed to stay is Ethan Moore (striker), who showed a great deal for us at the end of last year. However, keeper Glyn Thompson will be leaving the club as a great opportunity has come up for him to move into coaching over in Thailand..

We have a list with dozens of players on; some we might not be able to get, but there are always players available to sign. I am not concerned about recruitment of players'".

Elsewhere in the same source we read that "Heeley has declared the forthcoming campaign will be the ‘biggest challenge’ of his career... A host of last term’s important players, including the likes of top-scorer Mike Symons, the versatile Rob Elvins and centre-half Jacob Rowe, have all moved on as Heeley struggled to offer them competitive terms with the uncertainty around the club’s future lingering on...

Heeley said, 'There is no secret that the budget has been reduced, but it has been difficult to predict what it would be with so many other factors, such as the ground-share, going on... Matt and I are fully up for the challenge and the players who have decided to stay are here for the right reasons...

It will absolutely be very tough next season. We didn’t have the biggest budget last season, but it will be even less this year'".

According to This is Glos, "A prize pot of more than £11,000 was Gloucester City's reward for making the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century... The Citizen understands that it had already been earmarked to help pay their rent arrears with Cheltenham Town...

Chairman Nigel Hughes confirmed... 'We have already paid them £21,000, as agreed, and are taking significant steps to pay off the remaining money owed well before the start of the new season'... Hughes said talks were progressing between the club and a group of investors... The Citizen understands that this could lead to the club's administrative functions being split in two, with the new group giving funds directly to Mehew's playing budget.

Owner Eamonn McGurk would then take on responsibility for the club's revised new stadium at Meadow Park... The club's preference is to move back to their former home, but with plans for a modest football stadium and requisite flood defences taking the place of the more ambitious £5 million community stadium".

Pitchero Non-League reports that "Barrow AFC have raided rivals Workington for prolific striker Gareth Arnison for the forthcoming campaign. Arnison, 25, scored nineteen goals for the Borough Park outfit last term but is out of contract and moving to Manchester and hence nearer to Barrow's training base...

Barrow boss Dave Bayliss is delighted to have captured a decent striker following the acquisition of pacey winger Shelton Payne on Wednesday. The Barrow squad now boasts four new members with [ex-Alty duo] keeper Tony McMillan and player-coach Alex Meechan alongside Payne and Arnison".

At Gainsborough Trinity, "Dom Roma says his relationship with Trinity boss Steve Housham, and the club’s fans, convinced him to sign on for another season. Gainsborough’s ‘Iron Man’ who played over 50 games last season at full-back, was one of the first to commit to the 2013/14 campaign on the Northolme, despite a reduced offer from the club.

He told the Gainsborough Standard, 'Housh spoke to us after the last game of the season and offered us all contracts on reduced terms. It was a case of deciding if we could do it, everyone had their own individual cases. I’ve got a lot of respect for Housh and I enjoy it down there, I enjoy playing for him. And the fans are brilliant, they don’t get straight on your back if you have a bad game or if you give the ball away, they’re quite supportive. I got on well with them and could always have a bit of a chat in the Blues Club after the game'.

Roma, 27, believes the quality of the players already signed is an encouraging sign...

'I’ve spoken to a few of the lads and unless you were going to a North Ferriby or a Harrogate, you’re not going to get the same money [we] were getting here in the last two years. The money that Gainsborough is offering is the same as anywhere else in the league and, if you enjoy it, you want to come back... To see the likes of Barnsey (Phil Barnes, goalkeeper), Ryan (Williams, midfielder), Stampy (Darryn Stamp, striker) and Greg (Young, defender) signing on again is encouraging...

We’re not going to have a squad of 21 players like we did', he said. 'But, if we’ve got 13 or 14 lads who are experienced at this level and a few loan deals from league clubs, then we could have a good squad'...

The Sheffield PE teacher revealed, 'I always have two weeks off to let my body recover, especially after playing a lot of games, and then I have three or four weeks getting back into the gym and out running, preparing for the beasting in pre-season'".

READ ALL ABOUT IT

CONFERENCE NORTH NEWS

Early in the 2008-09 season, Stanley accepted an undisclosed fee from Huddersfield Town for the midfielder... In July 2009, Craney and his Town team mate Phil Jevons joined Morecambe on a season-long loan deal... Injury cut short his loan, forcing him to return to the Galpharm in April 2010.

His contract at Huddersfield terminated, he joined Fleetwood Town for the 2010-11 season before joining former club Accrington Stanley for a third spell, on loan. Craney rejoined Stanley on a permanent basis, his third full-time spell with the club.

Having been released at the end of the 2011-12 season he joined Rochdale where he made seven appearances before joining AFC Telford United in February 2013.

Craney said, 'A club like Stockport County is a big lure for any footballer so, when I got the call to say they were interested, there was only one place I was going to go'. Manager Ian Bogie added, 'I am delighted to get Ian on board, he is a talented ball playing midfielder with vast experience, having played at a high level. He knows all about the fantastic support at this club and cannot wait to play in front of them. He will be a great addition to our squad'.

County have also re-signed forward Brandon Windsor. The 17-year-old made three appearances for the first team last season as well as spending a period out on loan with Nantwich Town. Alan Lord said, 'Ian Bogie and myself are pleased that Brandon has committed his immediate future to the club, we see him as a very talented addition. He has all the attributes to carve out a good career for himself, he is a willing learner who will no doubt cause defenders problems as and when he gets his chance'".

According to BSBN, "Workington have agreed personal terms with Gavin Skelton to become the club's player/coach next season. The 32-year-old former Carlisle, Workington, Gretna, Kilmarnock, Hamilton Academical and Barrow midfielder would replace David Hewson, who has been forced to call time on his career due to a knee problem...

Skelton... was the National Supporters' Clubs' Player of the Year at Barrow last season having captained the side.

Reds boss Darren Edmondson told the News and Star, 'We've agreed personal terms, but there is still a bit of work to do... We lost a leader in David, but we're gaining one in Gavin, who can play a number of positions. It's a coup for us because other clubs have offered more money, but Gavin wants to work on his coaching, and I can offer him that... He has the right attitude to fit straight into the team as a player, and coach'".

Meanwhile, "Steve Housham has continued his summer rebuilding work at Gainsborough Trinity with four players committing their future to the club. Fans' favourite Darryn Stamp re-signed on Thursday evening and the 34-year-old also takes on the assistant manager role. But Housham has also brought striker Bradley Barraclough back for a second season and midfielder Simon Russell also rejoins the Blues.

Newcomer Liam Davis also joins from local side Brigg Town. The 22-year-old, originally on the books at Grimsby Town, has been inspirational for the Brigg team this season, scoring 14 goals in 46 appearances" reports This is Lincs.

Guiseley AFC have announced that club captain Mark Bower will remain at Nethermoor next season. After discussions with boss Steve Kittrick, Bower will remain at the club in his player/coach role".

Reports in the Worcester News are that "The doom clouds that had been gathering around Worcester City have been lifted with the club revealing they are fully committed to the coming season. Speculation had been building that the St George’s Lane outfit was close to being liquidated, but the board of directors are now looking ahead with ‘renewed optimism’ after ‘positive discussions with partners’.

As a consequence of these assurances, manager Carl Heeley and his assistant Matt Gardiner have committed their futures to the side ahead of next season, which will see the club ground-sharing at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough ground...

A City statement said, 'The board accepts that the last few weeks have been a particularly difficult period for the club, its management team and players alike... We are now confident we can move into next season with renewed optimism about the long-term viability of the football club.

The board can confirm we have registered with the Football Conference to play in the Blue Square North at Aggborough next season. Carl and Matt have committed their future to the club and continue to plan for next season. We are grateful to them for their continued commitment and hope the removal of uncertainty about the longer term viability of the club will assist them in attracting players...

It is perfectly understandable that the uncertainty around the future of the club has had a negative impact on season ticket sales and sponsorship... We have therefore agreed to extend the deadline for the sale of £100 season tickets and these will be available until June 30".

In the Shropshire Star, we learn that "AFC Telford United midfielder Phil Trainer has been offered a new deal to keep him at the New Buck's Head for the forthcoming season.

Manager Liam Watson confirmed that the popular midfielder... has a deal on the table... Trainer, who has played more than 200 competitive games for the Bucks, is understood to be only the fourth member of last season’s squad so far to be offered a new deal for the next campaign...

The news is likely to be well received by many Telford supporters. Trainer was one of few players that Bucks fans have expressed a significant interest in keeping. It comes after the team’s disastrous season, in which they were relegated from the Blue Square Bet Premier, finishing 19 points adrift of safety.

The club had previously handed new deals to goalkeeper Ryan Young as well as defenders Dan Preston and Will Salmon, albeit with the latter opting to seek a new club closer to his Basingstoke home... Should a deal be agreed with Trainer, Watson said he plans to utilise the experienced former Oxford United man as a more attacking player next season... He was used more as a holding player in the last campaign...

He said, 'If he is playing centre midfield, I would want him to be getting into the box. I think that is his strength and he’s capable of getting more goals'".

Confirmation comes from This is Hull that "Three of North Ferriby United’s leading players are to leave the club ahead of their first season in Conference North.

Captain Paul Foot, all-time leading goalscorer Gary Bradshaw and midfielder Chris Bolder have all declined terms offered by the Villagers. Between them, they have played over 1,000 games for Ferriby and helped them win a historic treble last season".

At another promoted club, Hednesford Town confirm that they "have wasted no time in agreeing terms with eight of their victorious Play-Off winning squad ahead of their new campaign in the Conference North, with manager Rob Smith sounding confident...

‘I fully believe that this team is still very much in its infancy and has room to get a lot better and I also believe a lot of the squad are comfortably up to the level we are going into. This pre-season will be the opposite of last year where we made a lot of new signings. My main aim will be to keep this group together and I expect to do just that.’

The players who have committed themselves to Keys Park for next season include... Dan Crane and John Disney, the imperious centre half pairing of Francino Francis and Ben Bailey, club captain Darren Campion, midfield enforcer Dave MacPherson, ex-Bolton left winger Nathan Woolfe and 16-goal striker Michael Lennon.

Smith stated that while he is obviously keen to keep together the squad who performed so well last year there will be new signings... 'They will need to be good footballers with the type of never-say-die attitude that we witnessed in the run-in and play with the passion we are used to. If I can keep the team together and add a couple I am certain we can compete'".