Midfielder Munro joins the Yellows

Paul Carden hopes to have found another gem with the signing of midfielder Charlie Munro from Ashton Athletic.

Munro, 23, played alongside former Yellows forward Marcus Cusani for the North West Counties League club, and comes highly recommended.

Carden said: “Charlie was put to us last season from a few people signing his praises, saying he was the stand out player in that league. He was watched a few times by someone whose opinion I value really highly, and he told me his qualities and said it’s a no brainer.

“He’s a midfield player who can do a bit of everything, his main strength is getting on the ball in deeper areas and making things happen; technically he’s very good, he demands the ball and he’s a good age. He’s played plenty of football in leagues that are tough, and he’s chosen us over other clubs which is nice to hear. He’s young, hungry, wants to do well, shown he’s more than capable at that level and he wants to challenge himself and show that he is better than this level.

“He’s got a great attitude. He’s selected his next club because he wants to progress, and I know that he’s selected it carefully. He’d been followed by a few other clubs where he’s seen they’ve got midfielders as captains, and he’s seen with us that Scott Brown and Isaac Marriott have gone back to their parent clubs, and so there’s an opening there for him to play, and I like that, because it shows he’s got something about him. He wants it to happen quickly, he wants to get in the team quickly, prove what he’s about, establish him and fair play to him. Hopefully he will be that next little gem.”

Munro’s capture follows on from the signing of centre-back Callum Grogan from Radcliffe, and the pair met and signed at the club on the same day.

It takes the confirmed squad number for 2020/21 up to 13, including experienced centre-back David Raven, who will return to pre-season training before making a decision on whether to play on for another season.