Rebuild begins
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon’s squad rebuild began in earnest this week with the first new signing of the summer, former Curzon Ashton front man Matty Warburton.
A highly-rated attacker, Warburton is a quality signing with an enviable goal-scoring record.
He originally joined the Nash in 2013 after a prolific spell with Maine Road in the North West Counties League.
After a brief spell at Salford City last season Matty returned to Curzon and finished the campaign with a flourish, scoring 13 goals in just 16 league appearances, including a consolation goal for the Nash at Edgeley Park in their 3-1 defeat last March.
“I am delighted to have signed Matty,” said Gannon.
“Securing his signature as the pivotal number 10 attacker was important in our vision of the team’s attacking structure for next season.
“The signings we make this season will be crucial to our chances of further progress as a team and success as a club. Therefore, the players we add have to be well-considered and made with the security of knowledge that we are getting good people, professionals and players. I believe we have that in Matty.
“I have been a longtime admirer of his and how he has progressed. I feel he has matured considerably as a player over the last season. I think this is very much down to him taking pride in his work, thinking and taking responsibility for his game and constantly improving. I have watched him closely in many games, and been impressed by his game knowledge, intelligent movement and sharp incisive football.
“He clearly has an impressive goal-scoring record but I feel he will bring much more than just that. We want presence and penetration up front to get goals, but we will need craft and creativity as well.
“It is clear from our conversations that he is passionate about football and how the game should be played.
“At many times last season I was frustrated with the style and type of football we played, albeit it that we played to the strengths of our players.
“We have spent much work in improving the way the team is structured defensively and tactically organised, and this has ensured the team’s progress and will provide a great base to work from.
“However, the time is right for another level of coaching that will challenge the players’ understanding of how to be effective in an attacking team when in possession.”