Nailers bring in two

Belper Town have completed the signings of Steve Warne and former Nailer, Mark Ward as Peter Duffield strengthens his squad for the second half of the season

Steve Warne has signed on a permanent deal just a few months after the Matlock Town midfielder had spent a productive spell on loan with the Nailers earlier in the season.

The Nailers have paid an undisclosed fee for Warne and the player has signed a contract with the club until the end of the 2012/13 season.

Warne is a former Chesterfield midfielder who joined Matlock from Alfreton Town for a second spell with the Gladiators in the summer of 2008. He had originally joined Matlock on loan from Hucknall Town towards the end of the 2003/04 season before making the move permanent in 2004/05.

He was hugely popular with the Matlock fans where has he turned in some highly impressive displays and was the club captain for a period. He was voted as their Players’ Player of the Season in 2008/09.

Mark Ward has also joined Belper Town for the second time from Stocksbridge Park Steels, having first appeared for the Nailers in 2002 following his release by Sheffield United, for whom he made two first team appearances.

After his first spell at Christchurch Meadow, he had a period on loan at Worksop before joining Hucknall Town in 2003 for a four figure fee. Ward joined Frickley Athletic in March 2006 but moved to Grantham Town in December 2006, but only scored once in his short stay before leaving to join Bradford Park Avenue where he scored on his debut.

He joined Stocksbridge in the summer 2007 and finished as top scorer in the 2008/09 season, won 3 Player of the Year awards and is the only player to win 3 Player of the Month awards in the same season.

Meanwhile, attempts to extend the loan of Scunthorpe United winger, Aron Wint have stalled due to an injury crisis at the Lincolnshire club.

It is hoped that Wint will eventually rejoin the Nailers for a further loan spell once Iron's injury situation has eased.