Favourite stays at Meres

Grantham Town joint managers Gary Sucharewycz and Ian Robinson have continued their squad building with the re-signing of another fans' favourite, Sam Purcicoe.

The right-back became the 11th member of last season's squad at the Evo-Stik North Premier League club to agree terms with the Gingerbreads joint management team in recent days.

Now 21, Purcicoe initially arrived at the Meres on loan from Mansfield in January 2010 before making the switch permanent. The defender was out on loan at Rainworth Miners Welfare during the season but returned in the final months to make a big impression on the club's new management team.

Robinson said: "Sam did a great job when he came back from loan. He showed us exactly what he is about as a player. We have always said we would put out the best team available to us. Sam came good and was an important part of the team in the run-in."

Purcicoe has now played more than 150 times for Grantham. His 40 appearances this season were his first in Premier Division football and Robinson is sure that having that experience under his belt will make a difference in the next campaign.

He added: "We are really pleased Sam has decided to stay. He can build on what he has done over the last season and really establish himself and prove what a good player he is at this level of the game."