Blues land Stopforth

The midfielder’s return comes more than a decade after he first made his mark at Clitheroe following a youth career with Blackburn Rovers.

Stopforth, 33, was a part of the team that achieved its then best-ever finish in the Northern Premier League’s second tier and has since been a serial promotion winner with clubs including Ramsbottom United, Salford City and Stockport County.

“I’m delighted we have managed to bring a player of Gary’s quality, experience and character to the football club,” said manager David Lynch.

“I have to thank Carl and the club for their support in getting this over the line because an awful lot of hard work has gone into securing a player of Gary’s calibre.

“He is my type of player; what you call a proper player. He has great energy, competes well, drives standards in the dressing room and has great quality.

“This is another massive statement of intent from the club and tells me we are on the right track with a player of Gary’s level wanting to join us.”