Ossett Albion make five new signings

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Richard Tracey hopes Ossett Albion can start climbing the Evo Stik Division One North table.
Albion were four points adrift at the bottom of the table until the tension-filled 1-0 victory over Mossley on Wednesday night.
Ossett are one point behind Radcliffe Borough and Tracey has signed five vastly experienced players to try and lead Albion away from danger and asked on what his message for the players was ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with New Mills, Tracey said: “Do what we did on Wednesday night.
“We spoke to the players before the game on Wednesday and said we’re a quarter through the season and we have to wipe the slate clean.
“We have to forget we have had and this week we have made five new signings. Only one started on Wednesday. That was Daz Lucas, from Glasshoughton Welfare, who started on the right.
“Mark Truman (ex Wakefield FC) who was on the bench is another new signing. Frickley’s former captain Danny Walsh has joined us, but is unavailable until next week.
“There’s a couple more like Dom Riordan who is a former player here and Andy McManus who was captain here couple of seasons ago has re-signed.
“We’re getting competition for places and the depth in the squad and hopefully we’re moving forward.”
Tracey is unlikely to have Gary Middleton at his side tomorrow.
Middleton helped Tracey direct proceedings from the side-lines during the Mossley win, but he won’t be assisting him on a permanent basis.
“He was a player at Belper when I played there and in the second year at Belper he was a coach,” he said.
“Gary has stayed a good friend of mine and it is difficult because we haven’t got the budget to bring someone in. But I asked him because he’s a central defender and I’m a striker to come and have a look at us and contribute and be part of it.
“He did and he had a massive impact on the lads. He talked a lot of sense like he always has done. That’s why I chased him for a little bit for a bit of help.
“Gary plays in a veterans league and plays on a Saturday and has commitments. He was assistant manager at Maltby last year on a voluntary basis. He has a pure passion for football, but came in as a mate on Wednesday.
“We’ve love to have him here every game, but he has commitments and a young family.”