Sales pitch won over hot-shot

Sheffield FC's manager Ian Whitehorne continued the summer revamp of his Evo-Stik Northern Premier League squad on Tuesday with the signing of striker Ben Algar from Matlock Town.

Dronfield-born Algar, 23, opted to join the First Division South's Club despite receiving offers from elsewhere in the Premier Division to stay in the NPL's top flight.

Algar, who came through the Sheffield United and Chesterfield youth programmes, and made five first team appearances for the Spireites, revealed that his new manager's powers of persuasion made all the difference as he weighed up his options in recent days.

Algar, pictured, said: "I could have stayed in the Premier League but I feel Sheffield has got something going, you only have to look at the players they have there. I was impressed with the way the manager sold the club to me, and you can’t help but get caught up with the enthusiasm there.

"I hope I can help them get promotion, it won't be easy but I think the way they play suits my style, I can't wait to get started now."

Whitehorne is delighted to have captured Algar. After finally seeing him sign, he joked that he wouldn't have let his new frontman leave the ground until he's signed.

Whitehorne said: "It is great news that Ben has decided to join us. I know he has been approached a couple of times to come to Sheffield but it's never come off. Once I knew he was interested, I wasn’t going to let him out of the room until he signed!"

Sheffield's manager added: "He has had offers from other teams in the Premier so I'm really pleased he has decided to come to us. He is technically a great footballer and is comfortable on the right or the left. He's another quality acquisition to our squad."