STRONGMAN ARTELL’S ON HIS WAY – NO KIDDING

AMBITIOUS Kidsgrove Athletic have shown their intent ahead of the new Evo-Stik NPL South season by bringing in Gibraltar international David Artell and the league’s joint top scorer from last season, Luke Keen.

Artell, 35, pictured left, has seven caps for his country and returns to English football after a three-year spell in Wales with Wrexham, Bala Town and Port Talbot Town.

The centre-half started his career with Rotherham United and has plenty of Football League experience with the Millers, Shrewsbury, Mansfield, Morecambe and Crewe Alexandra.

Kidsgrove boss Pete Ward said: “David is another strong addition to our defence.We now have quality and competition in that area with him, Taylor Attrell, Ash Hodgkinson and Ryan Austin.”

Striker Keen, meanwhile, joins the Staffordshire club from rivals Romulus, having netted 28 times last season.

The move means Keen will be teaming up with the other joint top scorer from last term, Anthony Malbon, and Ward is understandably excited about the prospect of the pair joining forces.

“Luke is a great signing for us,” he added.“His goalscoring record is fantastic and I’ve been a great admirer of him over the last six seasons or so.

“We’re really pleased to get this one over the line.

“It’s a testament to the ambition we’re showing to attract players of Luke’s ability to the club.”

Ward has also moved to replace Ben Chapman in goal, drafting in young Polish stopper Krystian Burzynski from Nantwich Town.

The 21-year-old former Crewe youngster played 17 times for the Dabbers last season, keeping seven clean sheets.