Belper Town Signings

Belper Town’s new season preparations have coincided with two new midfield players arriving at Christchurch Meadow.

Ryan Mallon (pictured) has joined the Nailers from Frickley Athletic whilst former player, Simon Harrison has also returned to the club from Goole AFC.

Mallon is a wide midfield player who had a brief spell with Derbyshire neighbours, Matlock Town prior to moving to Frickley.

He started his professional career with Sheffield United in 2001 making a solitary first team appearance for the Blades. A loan spell at Halifax Town followed in 2002 and he became an instant hit at The Shay when he notched up 8 goals in 18 games but was eventually released by Blades’ manager, Neil Warnock at the end of the 2002/03 season.

He returned to Halifax following his impressive loan spell he finally found his feet at Gainsborough Trinity where he enjoyed a really effective 4-year spell at the Northolme. Mallon subsequently signed for Worksop Town before moving on to Matlock at the start of last season.

Simon Harrison originally joined the Nailers on loan from Harrogate Town in August 2010.

He is a versatile player who is comfortable at right wing or centre midfield and has a healthy goal scoring record from that department.

A product of Rotherham United's Centre of Excellence which he joined as a 10 year old, Simon rose up through the ranks, becoming a regular for Rotherham's reserves.

He moved into non-league with Matlock Town before switching to Ilkeston Town in January 2009 and then signing for Harrogate Town in June 2009.

He left Belper after a brief stay in order to sign for Retford United before linking up with Goole last season.

Meanwhile, a number of last season’s performers have moved away from the club.

Deon Meikle has returned to former club, Eastwood Town whilst Chris Adam has been appointed assistant manager to professional boxer/football manager, Curtis Woodhouse at Sheffield FC.

Charlie Weir has completed his studies at Sheffield University and is looking to sign for a club closer to his Wilmslow home. Meanwhile, Alton Rennalls is also hoping to secure a club closer to his Leicestershire roots.

Nailers’ manager, Peter Duffield has also promoted a number of players from last season’s successful reserves side into the first team squad.

Attacking midfield player Sam Vickers, central defender Ashley Worthington and promising young striker Ashley Hunter have all been heavily involved in first team training sessions as has midfielder, Ben Gowing, who made a single previous appearance in the Nailers first team in the final home game of the 2009/10 season at Loughborough Dynamo.