Non-league: Town veteran earns fresh challenge

NORTON have signed veteran defender John Diskin, but he will retain links with Newcastle Town.

Diskin agreed to the move after playing for Norton in their recent 2-0 friendly victory against a strong Castle side.

Norton assistant manager Dave Johnson said: “John is a Norton-based lad and his sons have been involved with the club.

“We asked him to join us last year, but he wanted to take his coaching badges at Newcastle, so we approached him again a few weeks ago.

“We made him captain against Newcastle Town last Saturday and he was bombing. He may have turned 40, but he is still fit and was happy to sign.”

Diskin will remain the manager of Newcastle Town's under-18s side in the Midland Floodlit League, but has been earmarked for a key role in Norton's North West Counties League campaign.

Norton have also taken fellow centre-half Dave Harper, from Newcastle Town, after he was told he was not part of their plans.

Harper finished last season on loan to Norton and Johnson said: “We were caught short of central defenders after Christmas and struggled, so signing John and Dave is a big bonus.

“We have a cracking bunch of lads, but we need their experience.”

LEEK Town signing Lee Bagley has decided to return to Rocester after one brief appearance in the friendly against Stalybridge.

Damian Grocott, a member of the new Leek management team, said: “I knew Lee from Rocester and had high hopes for him, but he has made his decision and won't be returning.

“We only want players who want to play for Leek Town.”

But defender Chris Rowley, who failed to turn up for last Saturday's friendly at Meir, turned out as a substitute at Biddulph on Tuesday.

NEWCASTLE Town fear they will be without goalkeeper Danny Reade when their Vodkat NWCL season kicks off a week tomorrow.

Reade, signed from Biddulph Vics, is nursing a knee injury, so veteran Rob Powner is in line to start.

Powner has played in Castle's recent friendlies and has the confidence of manager Greg Clowes as they were together in the rise of Alsager Town.

Clowes is more optimistic of Andy Kinsey's chances of playing in the opening game now he is back in training.

Kinsey, who has yet to play in a friendly, will have two punishing sessions next week.

NANTWICH Town meet Crewe Alexandra in a friendly at the Newcastle Town ground on Monday (7.30pm) and meet FC United at Witton Albion the following Friday (8pm).

Nantwich were forced to switch venues for both games away from the Weaver Stadium where their relaid pitch continues to settle.

STONE Dominoes were planning to include actor Ralph Little in tomorrow's pre-season game at home to Glossop.

Little – of Royle Family fame – had been pencilled in to make an appearance, but manager Shaun Hollinshead said: “His play in the West End that was due to last for two weeks, has overrun.”

However, Hollinshead has not ruled Little out of the opening Vodkat NWCL game.

“From what I have seen, his ability is above our standard,” added the manager.

STAFFORD Rangers play Wrexham at Marston Road tomorrow, having originally thought they would be playing Port Vale.

The story goes that Rangers manager Steve Bull made the arrangement with Martin Foyle thinking he was still manager at Vale, only to discover he is coach with Blue Square Premier club Wrexham.

TOMORROW'S FRIENDLIES

Stafford Rangers v Wrexham, Kidsgrove v Lancaster, Congleton v Witton Albion, Rocester v Holwell Sports, Norton United v Nantwich Town, Eccleshall v Newcastle Town, Shirebrook v Leek Town, Stone Dominoes v Glossop, Meir KA v Leek CSOB, Ellesmere Port v Alsager Town.