Casswell ties down his flying winger

Leek Town manager Lee Casswell has moved to secure the services of one of his prized assets in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League by signing flying winger John Johnston on contract until the end of the 2014-15 season, writes Michael Cope.

Johnston, pictured, has been attracting considerable attention with his all-action displays this term for the First Division South leaders and Casswell is delighted at securing his services at least until the end of next season. The 19-year old joined the Blues from Kidsgrove Athletic in July 2013 after progressing through the youth and reserve team set-up at Grove. He has now scored six goals for Casswell's side with many assists in his 29 appearances to date.

Meanwhile, Blues officials are reporting further progress on their pitch replacement project. The Harrison Park surface has been a problem for long-serving groundsman Chris Hermiston for many years but his dream of a brand new surface has come a little closer after soil samples and other tests were carried out on the existing pitch by contractors bidding for the work in the run-up to Christmas.

Applications for funding are historically a slow process but Leek are now putting an application together for grant funding to add to the £50,000 already pledged in order to meet the April deadline set by the Football Foundation.

Ironically, for the first time in many years, the club has so far completed all its home matches on schedule thanks to Hermiston’s hard work, ably assisted in recent months by former Kidsgrove groundsman Ian Cooper and two of his family members.

Image courtesy of www.stokesentinel.co.uk