TOMMY TO ROCK ON WITH SPENNY
PHIL
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Parkinson has challenged his Altrincham side to finish the season on a high – and has brought in Harrogate Town midfielder Connor Kirby to lay down a marker. The Robins boss is looking to 22-year-old Kirby to provide what he feels would be a timely shot in the arm for his Natronal League side. “We need to be making some decisions,” Parkinson said. “The lads who are here need to be fighting to stay here, because if I see a lack of fi I won’t it.”ght accept
BURGESS HILL Town ■
chairman Kevin Newell says he had no hesitation in offering manager Jay Lovett a contract extension.
The 43-year-old took over at the Isthmian South East Division club back in November 2019, following time in charge at South Park.
Now the former Brentford defender has been offered an extended stay despite the Hillians struggling at the foot of the table after their seven games of last season.
Newell said: “Jay has the full support of the board and we look forward to working with him and his management team again next season.”
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■ prospect Joao
Gomes has signed his first contract at South Shields.
The Portuguese-born attacking midfielder joined Shields’ academy set-up back in 2019 and has agreed a two-year deal with the NPL Premier title hopefuls, who will operate as a full-time outfit from next season. Gomes, 18, told the Mariners’ website: “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me at this club and it’s my responsibility now to make sure I’m ready to play in the first team.”
TOMMY MILLER is determined to build on the legacy left behind by legendary predecessor Jason Ainsley.
The former Ipswich Town and Sunderland midfielder was named as Ainsley’s permanent replacement at Spennymoor Town this week after spending the last five months in interim charge of the National League North club.
Ainsley’s departure in December sent shockwaves around the north-east as he brought down the curtain on a highly successful 14-year reign at Brewery Field.
Ainsley led the Moors to three promotions and 11 trophies and has left Miller with one of the most talented squads in Non-League’s second tier.
Planning for his first season in permanent charge is already underway for Miller and the new Moors boss is relishing the challenge of building on Ainsley’s successful tenure.
“What Jason Ainsley has done for the club, along with the chairman, is fantastic and I wouldn’t be here without him and his support,” Miller told The NLP.
“I am grateful for Jason getting me into the club and everything that has been said between him and the chairman has come off.
Decisions
“Spennymoor Town wouldn’t be where we are now without him. Jason’s legacy will take some beating but I will do everything I can to make sure that we build on everything he put in place during his time here.
“We want to go higher and build on his work; we want to help the club to new levels just as Jason managed to do.”
Miller has some big decisions to make ahead of his first season in the lead role in the dugout.
Several Moors players are coming towards the end of their contracts and the new boss is keen to add to his ranks over the summer months.
“It’s a great squad that is in a strong league and we have a lot of work ahead of us,” the 42-year-old added.
“We have some lads that will be out of contract this summer and we will look to make decisions on them before anything else.
“Then it’s a case of adding to the squad, can we bring in players that will improve us even further ahead of the new season.
“I like to think we are able to attract players of a high level because they know how ambitious we are as a football club and where we want to go.
“We are aware that clubs in the level above are still playing so that puts things on hold a bit.
“But we will work hard to get ourselves in a position to challenge in a very tough division next season.”