Veteran can keep scoring

Veteran striker Gary Ricketts looks set to be write another chapter in his eventful career next season after committing to another year with the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Ilkeston FC, writes Matt Bowles.

Ricketts, 38, has joined Laurie Wilson, Aaron Hooton and James Reid in putting pen to paper on fresh deals at the New Manor Ground and, according to Kevin Wilson, he has done so despite having a number of attractive offers from other clubs to leave the Premier Division's Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup winners.

Ricketts, the first player to sign for Ilkeston FC, was voted Evo-Stik PL 'Player of the Year' for his part in winning promotion in the club's maiden season and remained a formidable force last term.

Wilson said: "Gary will be 38 this summer and it's a tribute to the way he has looked after himself and retained his enthusiasm for the game that other clubs would still love to have him in their teams. I know for a fact that he has had offers on better terms than we are able to give him but he is keen to stick with us. That's fantastic news and I'm sure it will please the fans.

"We have to be realistic and accept that at his age, we will need to manage him carefully - although Gary won't accept that. He still wants to play in every game and has said that he is determined to prove me wrong.

"Gary knows what we are all about. You would have to go a long way to find a Non-League club more professionally run than us and the players appreciate that - especially those who have been around a bit with other clubs."

Despite revealing that he's been speaking to a number of potential new signings, Wilson insisted on Thursday that his first job was to continue making progress in keeping his current squad together.

He declared: "The priority is always to keep your best players and I'm delighted that we already have four of them locked away. I'm still talking to other players and I think we are close to completing the deals to keep a number of them here next season."