Picton puts pen to paper

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League midfielder Jake Picton is back on board at Frickley Athletic for another season after signing a new contract.

The former Scunthorpe United player, pictured signing, joined the Blues last season from Harrogate Town as a defender but excelled for manager Karl Rose in central midfield alongside Matty Bloor.

The Premier Division manager was delighted to have secured Picton after his performances last season attracted attention from elsewhere.

Rose, who's now secured the bulk of his squad, said: "Jake is another important player for us and, like Gav Allott, we have had to fight off a lot of interest in him so its fantastic for us that he has committed his immediate future to Frickley. This reaffirms the club's determination to build on last season and move forwards on the pitch as well as off it."

Rose has also secured the signature of two new players on non-contract forms. Nineteen year-old striker Korey Dyer-Stewart has signed having spent last season at Boston United where he made eight first team appearances.

The nephew of former Crystal Palace and Barnsley striker Bruce Dyer, Dyer-Stewart started out at Burton Albion's youth academy.

Central defender Gareth Griffiths has also switched from NCEL Premier Division outfit Parkgate. The 23-year-old has also played for Worksop Parramore.