Duo depart as Rusk reshapes
COUNTY’S preparations for the upcoming National League season continued to take shape this week, with The Hatters’ pre-season schedule confirmed alongside the exit of a further two of the first-team ranks at Edgeley Park.
Following the confirmation of Simon Rusk’s side’s retained list last week, with no fewer than eighteen senior members of the side kept on, County moved this week to begin the restructuring of a squad which came agonisingly close to a return to the EFL last season.
Striker Richie Bennett became the second player to depart Edgeley Park earlier this week, as the former Port Vale forward’s goals in four appearances seemed to rule out a move ●●BRIGHTON & Hove contract was mutually terminated for the North East side – unless Bennett could Albion U23s v County – following just before The Hatters felt agree a hefty wage cut at Mon 26th July, 2pm kickoff one full season with the compelled to recall the Victoria Park. – played behind closed club. former Northwich man, Williams joined The doors
Bennett’s seemingly with supporters left frustrated Hatters from relegated ●●CURZON Ashton v inevitable exit came hot at Bennett’s positive AFC Fylde last summer, County – Sat 31st July, on the heels of a move to impact on a promotion having worked with Gannon 3pm kick-off, Tameside Welsh outfit TNS for rival. at Northwich four Stadium winger Jordan Williams, Bennett did return to years prior. ●●COUNTY v Manchester who is believed to have make several cameo The former Rochdale City U23s – Mon 2nd moved on for a nominal appearances at Edgeley man had scored 13 goals August, 7:45pm kick-off, fee from Edgeley Park. Park, with the most notable for the relegated Lancashire Edgeley Park
Williams, like Bennett, coming late on in the outfit in the curtailed ●●GUISELEY AFC v lasted a solitary campaign 0-1 play-off semi-final 2019/2020 campaign, but County – Sat 7th August, with The Hatters, with defeat against Hartlepool never looked settled at 3pm kick-off, Nethermoor both men signed under themselves – with the Edgeley Park – even less Park – tickets for this game former boss Jim Gannon 30-year-old seeing a glorious so after Gannon’s departure can be purchased from and subsequently struggling late chance to level in January. the home side by clicking for minutes under saved by Pools stopper The 28-year-old departs here. Gannon’s replacement Brad James. County without a goal or ●●BURNLEY U23s v Simon Rusk. Bennett has already assist to his name during County – Tue 10th August,
Bennett enjoyed a contentious been somewhat inevitably his one season with the ●●PRE-SEASON schedule: 2pm kick-off – played loan spell at the linked with a return to club. Ashton United v behind closed doors. eventually-promoted play-off winners Hartlepool Meanwhile, a pre-seaosn County – Wed 21st July, ●●COUNTY v Fleetwood Hartlepool Utd earlier in this week, although fixture list has been 7pm kick-off, Hurst Cross Town XI – Sat 14th August, the season, scoring five manager Dave Challinor finalised for Rusk’s men, Stadium 3pm kick-off, Edgeley Park
Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Reach Printing Services (Oldham) Limited, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB with clashes against a number of Premier League U23 outfits lined up over the coming weeks.
A visit to Rusk’s former side Brighton & Hove Albion comes late in July, following a pre-season curtain-raiser against neighbours Ashton Utd at Hurst Cross.
Man City U23’s then come to Edgeley Park in early August, before a young Burnley side play host to The Hatters behind closed doors just a week before the National League campaign gets underway.