NATIONAL LEAGUE IN BRIEF
MACCLESFIELD Town boss John Askey took his summer tally of signings to five after adding Torquay United captain Courtney Richards and former Port Vale winger Ryan Lloyd to his Moss Rose ranks this week. Richards, 23, led the Gulls to National League safety last season, while attracting the attention of a number of Football League clubs. Lloyd, also 23, has spent most of the last two seasons on loan with Chester.
EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill has boosted his side’s promotion hopes with the signing of two former fans’ favourites. The Spitfires chief has re-signed goalkeeper Ross Flitney as player/coach and striker Chris Zebroski. Flitney, 33, has made over 200 appearances for the Hampshire side, while former Bristol Rovers and Stevenage man Zebroski, 30, was a free agent.
AFC Fylde have completed their fourth signing of the summer after agreeing terms with highly-rated Welsh midfielder Henry Jones. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the club, subject to international clearance, with the club having an option on a second year. Jones will team up with fellow new boys Jordan Tunnicliffe, Lewis Montrose and Zaine Francis-Angol when Fylde return for training next week.
MIDFIELDER Josh Rees says he is excited at the challenge of joining Neil Smith’s Bromley for next season. The 23-year-old midfielder started his career at Arsenal and spent last season at National League South play-off finalists Chelmsford City. “I’m really excited by the challenge ahead,” he said. “I got the call from the gaffer a couple of weeks ago and I was straight in the next day to try and agree something. Thankfully now it’s all sorted.”
TORQUAY United manager Kevin Nicholson is sure Ryan Clarke can fill the gloves vacated by Rochdale-bound Brendan Moore. Nicholson reckons former Oxford United, AFC Wimbledon and Eastleigh man Clarke, 35, is the perfect replacement. “He is a fine all-round goalkeeper and was the outstanding candidate in a strong field of goalkeepers I interviewed,” said Nicholson.
MAIDSTONE United boss Jay Saunders has moved to fill the void left by Alex Flisher (Margate) and Bobby-Joe Taylor (Aldershot) by bringing in left-winger Tom Wraight from National League South side East Thurrock United. Wraight, 22, chipped in with 21 goals and 12 assists to help the Rocks establish themselves in National League South and won the Players’ Player of the Year award in the last two seasons. He has also trialled with the likes of Gillingham and Millwall.