Gainsborough retain services of hot shot forward

17 Apr 2024 By James Gordon

Gainsborough Trinity have announced a raft of new deals for their existing first team squad - with top scorer Declan Howe among the players to have agreed terms ahead of next season.

Howe has struck 24 times for the club this season - reduced from 26 after his goals against Marske United were expunged from the records.

He penned a new deal earlier this month and celebrated by scoring twice in the Holy Blues' 4-1 home win against Hyde United last weekend and a first-half hat-trick on Tuesday night in their emphatic 4-0 victory at Matlock Town - results which have helped maintain the club's position in the top half of the division with two games still to play.

Howe joined from Ilkeston Town last September, and the former Alfreton Town, Darlington and Cleethorpes Town hit the ground running at The Northolme.

Manager Russ Wilcox - who himself only signed a deal to remain at the club at the start of April - has moved quickly to keep together the core of his squad ahead of next season.

Midfielder Bobby Johnson became the latest retention to be announced earlier this week, following in the footsteps of Dayle Southwell, Howe, Ashley Jackson, Lewis Butroid and Bailey Conway - all of whom will continue to feature for the Holy Blues in 2024/25.

Photo credit: Cleethorpes Town

Where next?

Shepshed Dynamo manager to depart at the end of the season Shepshed Dynamo have confirmed that Damion Beckford-Quailey will step down as manager following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.

Atherton Collieries relegated after Macclesfield defeat A 1-0 defeat at home to Macclesfield on Tuesday night confirmed Atherton Collieries' relegation from the Northern Premier League.