The 31-year-old, who was most recently at Northern Premier League side Ashton United, has vast experience at professional level which includes spells at Bury, Falkirk and Rochdale, as well as loan moves at the likes of Oxford United and Bradford City.

The Blackburn Rovers youth academy graduate has been training with Gate for a couple of weeks and also featured in last night’s superb victory over AFC Fylde, even getting on the scoresheet in the second half.

Manager Luke Evans is delighted to have Howarth on board.

Evans said: “I’m over the moon to get Andy signed on. He brings a wealth of experience and has settled into the group instantly.

“It’s always great having local lads who want to play for the club and considering the career he has had to have him at this football club is a major coup. He is a forward player who is very versatile and will give us added options.

“He has been training for the last couple of weeks and we look forward to seeing him in the blue of Squires Gate very soon.”

You can see Andy Howarth in action for the blues when we take on Prestwich Heys on the 26th September.