WE’VE SCOTT
COUNTY’S squad for the 2021/22 campaign continued to take shape this week, as The Hatters moved to secure a double signing ahead of Simon Rusk’s side’s first pre-season outing.
With County set to travel to neighbours Ashton United this evening (Wednesday), Rusk’s ranks were strengthened ahead of the first friendly of the summer – firstly by the marquee signing of Barrow forward Scott Quigley.
The 28-year-old striker hit 15 goals for the League Two outfit last season, having hit twenty the season prior as The Bluebirds raced to a National League title win.
And, despite Mark Cooper’s side expressing a desire to keep hold of their prolific marksman, County parted with a fee believed to be around £150k to trigger Quigley’s release clause, and bring the former Wrexham man to Edgeley Park on a threeyear deal.
County fans have already expressed their excitement at seeing Quigley link up with popular forward Paddy Madden, as well as former Barrow team-mate John Rooney – who combined with Quigley to secure Barrow’s National League glory in the 2019/20 campaign.
“Scott is a player we have admired from afar for a while, with a nice balance of pace, power and craft.
“Our scouts and staff have been working on this for a while, and we know very few others can do what Scott Quigley does.
“Having met and spent time with him, he is humble and down to earth, but I’m impressed with his hunger, and with that mindset he will fit in well here,” said director of football Simon Wilson.
The Hatters are believed to have seen off strong interest from Quigley’s former club Wrexham, now owned by Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, to secure the signing of the Shrewsbury-born striker – with Wilson acknowledging the ‘competitive’ nature of the deal.
“With previous success at this level and the level above, we are confident he can be a difference maker for us.
“Naturally, for a player of Scott’s experience it was a competitive deal to conclude, but we’re delighted again that quality players are drawn to what we are doing and the exciting journey ahead at County.”
Quigley’s signing was followed swiftly up by the return of winger Tom Walker on a permanent
‘Scott is a player we have admired from afar for a while, with a balance of pace and power’
basis, following a six month loan spell at Edgeley Park last season.
A free transfer move back to County, where Walker signs a one-year deal, represents a fourth spell with the club for the former Bolton Wanderers youngster, who officially departed former club Harrogate Town this week.
Following a short-term spell for Walker at Edgeley spark back in 2017, former boss Jim Gannon moved to bring the versatile 25-year-old back on a loan deal to the club from Salford City in the 2019/2020 season.
This proved a hugely successful spell for Walker, who earned a permanent move to County’s former National League rivals Fylde on the back of that spell.
Following Fylde’s relegation back to the National League North, newly-promoted League Two side Harrogate triggered a release clause to take Walker to Wetherby Road. Despite starting the
first ten games of Harrogate’s first season in the EFL, boss Simon Weaver quickly allowed Walker to leave, with a short spell at Notts County followed by a six-month loan spell back with County under the new regime of Simon Rusk. Walker became a regular starter under Rusk, deployed as a left wing-back in the longterm absence of Mark Kitching.
But, despite a consistent run as The Hatters’ first-choice left wingback, manager Rusk has already hinted at a change to a more natural position for the tricky winger.
“I’m pleased that Tom has rejoined for the season ahead – last season he gave himself a platform to build on, and this represents an opportunity to take his performance up another level. He adapted in to a wing-back role last season, but he is familiar to operate as a more natural winger and his versatility gives us the ability to adapt between formations,” said Rusk.
“You are always encouraged by players with a desire to play for your club; Tom made it clear this summer that he wanted to come back to Stockport County, and has done everything on his side to make that happen. He brings a continuity to our group, and will slot back in nicely,” added Wilson.