One out, four in at Harrison Park

On-loan keeper Ben Chapman has returned to Nantwich Town after completing a one-month deal covering for the injured Danny Roberts but Blues’ boss Lee Casswell has resolved his goalkeeping problem and also signed three outfield players to boost his threadbare squad.

Chapman played 5 games in the Leek Town jersey and finished on the winning side three times with one draw, one defeat keeping one clean sheet.

Casswell moved quickly to replace Chapman when he signed highly rated Rainworth Miners Welfare keeper Joe McCormack after serving 7-days notice of approach.

McCormack, 22, started his career in Mansfield Town's centre of excellence before spending four years on the books at Coventry City.

Whilst with Coventry he won two caps for Ireland Under-17s before being released - he then spent three seasons at Alfreton Town prior to joining Rainworth.

Casswell then swooped to sign former midfielder Anthony Danylyk from Conference North outfit Altrincham.

The combative Danylyk, 29, left Harrison Park in June 2008 to sign for Altrincham who were then in the Blue Square Premier were he remained for three and a half years making just over 150 appearances and captaining the side this season.

He originally joined Leek in August 2002 from Stone Dominoes and spent five of the next six seasons at Harrison Park interrupted only by playing the 2004/05 season at Belper Town and a brief stint at the start of 2006/07 at Witton Albion.

Danylyk was voted Supporters Player of the Season in both 2006/07 and 2007/08 and was also Managers and Players Player of the Season in 2007/08. In total he has made 219 appearances for the Blues scoring 21 goals.

Casswell then added to his striking options with the signing of Ross Farran, 21, who began his career as a youngster at Bolton before joining the Nike Academy. More recently he has been training at Northwich Victoria and Macclesfield Town.

Meanwhile, the Leek manager has completed his fourth signing with the capture of Jordan White who has returned to the area after working in the north east.

Central midfielder White came through the youth set-up at Kidsgrove and progressed to the first team where he played with many of the current Leek players at the Seddon Stadium.

White has also been on the books a Stone Dominoes earlier this season and has been keeping fit training with Spennymoor Town.

Injury list lengthens
Leek Town’s injury list lengthened last week when defender Nick Ward limped out of the game at New Mills just over a week ago.

Ward had an x-ray on the foot he damaged shortly before the break and thankfully there were no bones broken although he will be out of action for a couple of games recovering from severe bruising.

Dan Cope is close to rejoining the squad after recovering from surgery and will continue his rehabilitation getting match fit with Leek CSOB who travel to Norton United on Monday.

Meanwhile, Danny Roberts is recovering from surgery on his damaged eye socket and will be out of action for some time as will winger Richard Minor who undergoes knee surgery on 19 January.

Best wishes
Lee Casswell and the management staff and players would like to take this opportunity to wish the Blues’ fans and everyone else connected to the club a very happy and successful New Year.

Leek Town Monthly draw: December
The Leek Town Monthly Draw for December was made at Harrison Park on Wednesday and the results are as follows:
1st Prize £340 No.211 Mr R Curley

2nd Prize £150 No.180 Mrs C Lomas

3rd Prize £65 No.107 Mr D Burnett; No.207 Mr S Cooper

4th Prize £35 No.236 Mr D Mycock; No.269 Mr D Gadsby; No.84 Mr J Reeves; No.240 Mr M Prince

The draw was conducted by Paul Bateman and was checked and verified by Mr C Barcroft - there were 304 entries.

Don't forget January's Jackpot Draw features a massive prize of £500 to the winner and increased prizes for 2nd (£250), 3rd (£125 x2) and 4th (£50 x4).

So if you haven't already signed up or know someone who isn't in the draw or just fancy having another number yourself to increase your chances of winning, then simply click here for full details of how to join and an application form.

Please also remember that if you paid £60 last January to cover a years subscription then you need to renew this before 21st January to avoid missing out on the Jackpot Draw.