Castle boss hails departed keeper

Newcastle Town manager Ivan Lodge has thanked Dave Parton for his services to the club after the keeper left the EVO-STIK League club to sign for Altrincham.

Parton, pictured in action against Port Vale, joined the Conference Premier outfit for an undisclosed fee in midweek and manager Ivan Lodge was sorry to see one of the Castle’s most consistent performers leave.

Lodge said: "I'd like to wish Dave all the best for the future and good luck to him in his new move. He had an excellent season for us and was one of the reasons we were in play-off contention for part of the season."

The 21-year-old joined the Lyme Valley outfit from Premier Division Stoke City in 2011 after enjoying a loan spell with Worcester City. Last season he played an important part in Newcastle's eighth-placed finish in First Division South.