BAKER BRINGS IN DUO

6ft 5 inch central defender Mat Bailey (pictured) has joined the club from Premier Division Stafford Rangers where he had been captain.

The experienced player who turns 32 tomorrow, started his career at Nantwich Town and was initially a striker, but was soon picked up by Stockport County. After various loan spells he moved to Crewe Alexandra where he was converted to a central defender.

Again he was sent out on loan to a number of clubs, before ending his three year spell at Gresty Road by joining Northwich Victoria, further spells with Nantwich Town and AFC Telford United followed before he joined Stafford Rangers.

Bailey made his debut against Stamford and immediately impressed as Blues kept a clean sheet for only a second time in 2018.

Also arriving at Harrison Park is 19-year-old defender Caleb Richards (pictured, below)who has joined on loan from League One Blackpool.

Caleb has also enjoyed loan spells at Warrington Town, Southport and Marine and was an unused substitute against Stamford.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Ben Chapman has joined NWCFL side Winsford United on loan in order to get some game time.

Commenting on the 1-0 victory over Stamford, manager Neil Baker said, “I thought that was a great win, one that was hard fought by both sides.

“We were not allowed to play at our best against a very good Stamford outfit.

“There were two evenly matched sides out there today but we were good enough and that was what we needed to give us an outside chance of a play-off place come the end of the season”, he added.

Updated 11:55 - 31 Aug 2019 by Steve Reynolds