Wire secure top defender Hardiker

Warrington Town swooped to sign experienced defender John Hardiker on Friday.

Former Morecambe star Hardiker, pictured, can play centre-half or right back and joins the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Wire from Northwich Victoria where he captained the Vics. The 30-year-old is expected to go straight into manager Shaun Reid's side for Saturday's crunch clash with fellow promotion chasers New Mill.

Reid said: "We are delighted to have landed a player with great experience and I am sure he will be a great asset to our squad."

Hardiker was a product of the academy system at Morecambe where he made his first full appearance at the age of 16 and in 2002 moved to Stockport County for a fee of £150,000 where he famously scored two goals in a historic victory over Manchester City. After making over 100 appearances for Stockport he moved to Bury before returning to Morecambe.

Hardiker was then released by Morecambe and spent time at Fleetwood Town. He was later snapped up by his former Morecambe boss Jim Harvey after he became manager at Conference Premier Forest Green Rovers and made captain.

In March 2009 Hardiker joined Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic and in late 2010 switched to Droylsden after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. In January 2012 he had a brief spell at Radcliffe Borough before signing for Northwich Victoria in May.