Bubbly beckons for versatile centurion

Frickley Athletic's Luke Jeffs has an extra bottle of bubbly to celebrate New Year with after the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League' Blues marked his 100th appearances on Boxing Day.

Club volunteer and former chairman Pete Bywater is pictured presenting the 31-year-old with a bottle of champagne to mark the milestone before the 1-1 draw with Whitby Town at Westfield Lane in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

One of manager Karl Rose’s first signings for the club in the summer of 2012, Jeffs arrived from Goole AFC and has now made 104 appearances, 85 of which were starts and 19 as a substitute. His flexibility has seen him play in most positions across the defence and in midfield when required.

Blues officials also announced on Sunday that Matt Bloor had signed on contract until the end of the season.

Bloor has been rewarded after making a successful return to competitive football since suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle in a Doodson Sport Cup tie at Brigg Town nearly a year ago in January.

After over nine months out, the 24-year-old marked his comeback game with a goal in Athletic's 3-0 Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup win over Stocksbridge Park Steels in early November. Since then, he has comfortably slotted back into his regular position in the midfield to become an important member of the side again.

In his two spells at Westfield Lane, Bloor has made 120 appearances, 110 as a starter and has scored six goals – two of those since making his comeback.

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