Matlock Town are able to announce their third signing in the last 7 days with Ross Hannah agreeing to join them from Belper Town where he was their leading scorer last season. This is a major signing for the Gladiators and the management intend to pair him with Causeway Lane favourite Simon Barraclough creating a very mobile strike force.
Ross who is 22 was a junior with both Sheffield Wednesday and United before signing for Stocksbridge in 2004. He then had his first spell at Belper with a 2 month loan from Stocksbridge before joining Gainsborough for the 2006/07 season.
Ross returned to Belper at the start of season 07/08 and in the 48 matches which he played he was leading scorer with 26 goals and he is really looking forward to progressing his career with a step-up to the Premier Division.
Meanwhile the Gladiators have moved swiftly to further strengthen their defence with the signing of 21 year old Ashley Foyle from Lincoln United which follows last weeks signing of Lee Feathersone from Ilkeston Town.
Ashley began his career with a 3 year scholarship at Chesterfield, he captained the Youth team which won the league title and made 2 appearances for the first team against Swindon and Nottingham Forest. He moved to Accrington Stanley on a 6 month contract before signing for Buxton where he played in the side which won the NPL Div 1 title. Last season he signed for Lincoln United where he played throughout the season either at centre half or right back.
Ashley is 6'1", lives in Sheffield and has played with many of the Chesterfield Youth players who have been involved at Matlock including Steve Warne, Andy Richmond, Jamie Jackson and Reuben Wiggins-Thomas.
The gladiators completed their first major signing of the close season earlier in the week with defender Lee Featherstone signing from neighbours Ilkeston Town. Lee, a 24 year old defender, began his career with Sheffield Utd as an apprentice before moving to Scunthorpe, where he made 60 appearances. He then played 80 first team games for Alfreton prior to his 15 month spell with Ilkeston.
This begins the work to rebuild the defence following the departure of club captain James Lukic to Gainsborough Trinity.
Picture of Lee Featherstone courtesy of Andy Duffin.
