Clegg excited to shape his own Ashton side

Clegg moved to Hurst Cross midway through last season, leaving behind the Atherton Collieries side that he had led up the divisions.

He has brought a number of familiar faces with him, including goalkeeper Gregg Hartley and midfielders Ben Hardcastle and Michael Brewster, as he steered the Robins away from the relegation places.

In an address on the club’s official website, Clegg said: “I am really looking forward to getting back with the squad for pre-season whenever that may be.

“I am excited about shaping my own team and seeing where next seasons journey takes us.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the club so far, strange circumstances at the start, even stranger in the way the season ended but in between I think we showed the fans and committee what we are about as a staff group and I thought we did end up getting the best out of the lads.

“Inevitably in football, people come and people go and we will be no different this summer. I hope we give you a team to be proud of.

“In the meantime, I hope you all stay safe and I will see you all soon.”

Ashton were five matches unbeaten when the season came to a premature end, their last game a 3-1 win over Mickleover on March 10.