Skipper Guy is back from bad injury

The defender will be a familiar face in the Nailers defence for fans after returning to the Marston's Stadium over the weekend after suffering a serious injury in February 2018 in a match against Corby Town.

New Nailers boss Grant Black is looking forward to working with the versatile former Mickleover Sports player after losing duo Alex Steadman and Dominic Allen last week to EVO-STIK League East rivals Gresley and an influx of new arrivals last season.

Black said: "He's a player we knew about before we came to Belper Town and we rated him really highly. He was a player we targeted as wanting to keep straight away so we are delighted. John feels we are going to be moving the club forward and wants to be part of that and we feel he will play a big part of that for the upcoming season."

Black is relishing the opportunity of managing the Nailers when the new 2018-19 season kicks off next month despite the loss of Player of the Year Allen and hot-shot Steadman.

He added: “It’s a really exciting challenge and there are good players here to work with, both that were here before and who we’ve brought in. The lads have come back in good condition too which is always a bonus early on.

“The training sessions and matches will help shape our thoughts as to what’s still needed and what isn’t. We’re really keen to get games in but, as with signing players, patience is key as we try and thune everything to how we want it.”

Images courtesy of @BelperTownFC/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague