Transfers: Colls capture duo from Wanderers

Atherton Collieries are delighted to announce that former Bolton Wanderers development players Jordan Grant and Matt Marsh have agreed to sign for the club following a successful pre-season. Grant and Marsh, who both attended Bedford High School before earning scholarships at The Macron, fit directly into the ethos that Michael Clegg has aimed to abide by ever since he took over. That is to attract the best, local players and assemble them into a team. Along with Iain Howard, it now means that despite taking the step up into the Evo-Stik League, three of the clubs summer additions all live within two miles of the ground. Manager Michael Clegg explained his delight at securing the services of the two highly sought youngsters, "We're obviously delighted to get them both here at Colls. They are quality players who are from the local area so they will fit into what we have been building here, no doubt." "It strengthens the ongoing link we have with Bolton Wanderers." "Marsh is so assured in possession, he has an eye for goal and I think he is going to develop into a very good footballer. He never appears rushed and can pick out the correct passes. Hopefully we can help him with his progression this season." "Jordan is a quick and aggressive full back. His delivery in the final third is brilliant which is an added bonus when bringing in an attacking defender." "We're very lucky to have signed both of them." Speaking more about the club's additions over the summer, Clegg summarises by once again explaining the local roots that this squad has. "I think our business this summer has been fantastic. Out of the four players we've added, three of them live in Atherton. We are creating a culture at our club like no other at our level. I feel that if you are able to represent the town that you live in you are willing to work harder and it means far more to you than if you were commuting long distances for training and matches to a town you have no other association with." "Having said that, obviously we do have a couple of players who commute long distances themselves, but 75% of the squad are based less than a ten minute drive from our ground and I don't reckon any other club can boast that." "Our aim has always been to develop young local lads. If quality from further afield arises then obviously we can't turn it down; like in the case of Vinny Bailey and Adam Reid who have proved indispensable for us over the last year or so." "Whatever happens this season, we know that we have a team full of local lads, playing with pride for their local team on a big stage. That is something that we are extremely proud of and I am sure we can be proud of in years to come when we look back." Colls kick off their league campaign on Saturday 12th August at Colne, kick off at 15:00.