Skipper is first to sign

Sam Walker has become the first player to sign a contract with Curzon Ashton FC for the upcoming Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season.

Walker, who captained the team throughout last season’s campaign, cited 'unfinished business’ at the First Division North's Nash as his main reason for committing to another season at the Tameside Stadium under manager John Flanagan.

The central midfielder, pictured signing alongside Flanagan and Chairman Harry Galloway, passed the 100 appearances mark for the club in April and was named in the North Division's Team of the Year at the Evo-Stik NPL's Players of the Year Awards at Barnsley in April.

Now he's set his sights on securing a 'team achievement' as Curzon go in search of promotion come August and said: "I did mention that I'd maybe look at playing at a higher level but John was stressing at the same time that we had unfinished business in getting the club promoted. We want to be winning the division.

"It won't be easy, there are a lot of good teams in the division this season, but with the squad that we will have and players coming back who missed all of last season, we should do well.”

Speaking after the squad returned to pre-season training over the weekend, Walker, who is determined to raise the bar after last season's disappointing finish to the campaign, insisted: "Anything apart from 100 per cent isn't good enough and everyone involved has to understand that. Everyone should be in the mind-set that we are going to win the Division and get promotion.

"We want to be top of the table at the start of the season and top at the end of the season. Curzon’s stature in the Division says that we are a big club and should be competing at the top.”

Walker was vice-captain through the 2012-2013 season and also revealed that he'll be happy to revert back to that role if it means seeing the return of Graham Kay to after a season long injury.

Walker added: "Graham is a massive part of what we're trying to achieve here, he's a great leader and without a doubt one of the best centre halves in the league so fingers crossed he will be back fully fit this year. If he isn't 100% at any time during the season then I'm happy to take the armband again and lead the team."