County squad is shaping up nicely for Gannon
COUNTY boss James Gannon made two successful swoops into the transfer market this week by capturing Sam Walker and Dan Cowan.
Cultured midfielder Walker has joined the Hatters from National League North rivals Salford City on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a glittering nonleague career including back-to-back promotions at Curzon Ashton and an FA Trophy victory at Wembley during his time at Halifax.
Walker had initially agreed to remain at Moor Lane for another season but decided to make the move to County when he became aware of interest from County boss Gannon.
“Being able to sign Sam has come as a real surprise,” admitted Gannon.
“I’ve been a long-time admirer of him as a footballer since he played a big part in the Curzon Ashton team that got successive promotions to lift them from the Evostik North into the Conference North. The last two summers we’ve been frustrated in trying to sign Sam so it’s great to finally get the opportunity to work with him.”
Walker started his career as a youngster at Oldham before joining Woodley Sports, but his career took off during four years at Curzon Ashton as he scored 41 goals, made more than 200 appearances and captained the side to successive promotions, prompting a move to Halifax.
Following an FA Trophy victory over Grimsby Town he left the Shay to join the Ammies last summer for an undisclosed fee.
“Sam is another important addition to the team,” said Gannon. “He brings natural balance to the midfield as a left footer. He is a great all-round midfielder that has good defensive attributes along with the main requirements of a central midfielder, which is the ability to play and make the team play.
“Sam has a good range of passing, craft and creativity from open play, and is also a great technician from set plays.
“Last season our leftfooted technician Danny Lloyd’s number of goals and assists was accentuated by the taking of set plays, which made him look far more effective compared to other seasons at Fylde where he didn’t take set plays.
“More than a third of his goals and assists came from set plays, but in Sam we have a very capable technician that will maintain and improve this aspect.
“Sam scored seven
‘Sam Walker has a good range of passing, craft and creativity from open play’
goals and provided 13 assists in last season’s 37 appearances at Salford, which is a great contribution from central midfield.
“Sam and Matty Warburton provide us with two very good technicians for set plays, which at every level of football is becoming an increasingly important source of goals.
“He has signed a two year deal and within our agreement there is an understanding and opportunity for him to join us as part of any potential future full time set up as we move forward.”
Meanwhile, versatile defender Cowan joined County after leaving Macclesfield Town at the end of last season.
The 21-year-old signed for the Silkmen at the age of 15 after playing for Buxton Juniors and New Mills as a youngster before joining Macc’s youth team. He made his breakthrough into the first team at the end of 2013/14, signing a pro deal that summer.
Cowan replaces Max Cartwright in the squad,
after he opted to reject a new contract at Edgeley Park.
“I feel Dan signing is a good move for now and the future,” said Gannon.
“He is only 21 and has very good National League and National League North experience. He brings a professionalism, athleticism and versatility which should see him provide stiff competition for the current first team defenders but also the potential to grow, develop and overtake our current defenders in time.
“I’ve seen Dan play every year for Macclesfield against my teams, and he has always impressed me.
“I’ve seem him as a young, tenacious rightback and an assured centre-back in games against Northwich Victoria, and more recently as a leftback against County last pre-season.
“He’s grown in maturity with first team games and I feel he has all the attributes to develop into a top defender.
“Despite his overall versatility I see Dan’s potential being realised, initially with us, as a right centreback in a three-man defence, although he has the experience and athleticism to play as a right full-back or wing-back.
“He provides further depth, and restores some balance to the defensive options. This addition became increasingly important following Max Cartwright’s decision not to accept an improved contract offer.
“We’re conscious that our central defenders come from a part-time background but Dan comes from a full-time background at Macclesfield and is another player with the potential to go full-time in the future with the club, which was an important consideration during his recruitment.”
During his time at the Moss Rose, Dan had spells on loan at Ashton United and Chorley. He made almost 50 appearances for the Silkmen during his four years at the club.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Macclesfield Town for the past few years I’ve spent at the club, but it’s time to move on and push on with my career,” he said.