Macauley recruits Motors maestros

Marine manager Carl Macauley is looking forward to playing midfielders Karl Clair and Danny Fearnehough in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League after being reunited with the pair.

The duo are pictured signing on contract at the Arriva Stadium on Thursday. Flanked by their former manager at the Motormen, left, first team coach Anthony Wright, right, and Marine Chairman Paul Leary, their arrival was hailed by the Premier Division’s Mariners as a clear signal of intent for the coming top flight campaign.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said: "These are Carl’s first two signings that clearly demonstrate his desire to strengthen the squad for next season. I welcome Karl Clair and Danny Fearnehough to Marine. They did very well for Carl at Vauxhalls last season and he had no hesitation in bringing them to the Arriva Stadium to rejoin him."

He added: "We have signed them on contract terms to ensure that they stay at Marine and help us through next season’s campaign and achieve some level of success for our football club."

Macauley, preparing for his first season at the helm after replacing Phil Brazier as Mariners manager earlier this month, said: "It is great that I am able to work with Karl and Danny again and I am really pleased that they have agreed to join me at Marine They are very experienced midfielders having played throughout last season at Conference level for Vauxhall.

“To have them here will make us much stronger as a unit and they will make a huge difference. Both players had an excellent upbringing at Liverpool and Barnsley respectively and are real prospects for the future and that is why I have put them on contract.”

Clair, 21, a central midfielder, signed for Motors in September 2012 after being released by Liverpool in May 2011. The Anfield-born player was viewed as one of the Reds' brightest prospects, playing in the 2009 FA Youth Cup Final before he was hampered by a serious knee injury.

His last involvement with Liverpool was on an end of season tour to the Caribbean in 2011 before he kick-started his career at Loughborough University's Nike Academy. Last season, he made 38 appearances for Vauxhall Motors.

Fearnehough, 22, is a product of the Barnsley Academy. After being released in the summer of 2011 he signed for Vauxhall Motors in September 2011. His impressive early displays prompted Vauxhall manager Carl Macauley to put him on contract and he continued to impress. He is happy playing as a wing-back or in midfield. He made 40 appearances for Motors last season.