Marine secure famous five

Marine manager Kevin Lynch believes the signings of three more of his stars on contract today will bring even more quality players to the Evo-Stik NPL's Premier Division outfit.

Central defender Matty Brown, midfielder Jonathon Goulding and attacking midfielder Michael Ordish all put pen to paper on new contracts, a few days after defender John Shaw and striker Darren Byers pledged their futures to the Arriva Stadium.

Lynch said: “I’m sure signing such high calibre players will in turn help us attract players of a similar stature in the future. The three lads have done exceptionally well and the reward of the contracts shows what we are trying to do - have the right type of players here at Marine who will continue to enhance what we’re building.”

Crosby based Brown, 22, spent five seasons and played over 150 games for Tranmere Rovers youth before joining Manchester City. He played over 100 games for City’s reserves, scoring 10 goals and captained the side. He signed for Marine last summer after a spell at Northwich Victoria.

Goulding, 25, began his career in the junior sides at both Everton and Crewe Alexander before moving to Blackpool Reserves, Leigh Genesis and Burscough before joining Marine in January 2010. Goulding also played for DFW Tornadoes in the USA in 2007.

Ordish, 20, was signed at the age of 16 by the then manager of Celtic, Tony Mowbray, from Stockport County. He remained at Celtic for two seasons, playing for their youth before joining Southport on contract at the beginning of the 2010-11 season. He rejoins the Mariner’s after a month loan spell towards the end of last season.

Marine chairman Paul Leary hailed the news and said the five key signings made by his manager meant the Mariner’s team was already coming together and in great shape with preseason yet to come.

He said: “The signing of Matty, Michael and Jonathon on contract is a measure of the commitment made by the club with the players to secure their immediate future at Marine."

He added: “These are influential players who will play an important part in helping us achieve our ambitions. This is great news and with John Shaw and Darren Byers also making an earlier commitment to us the shape of the team is coming together.”