Rob Duffy was a Conference North player for Nuneaton last season scoring 13 goals and top scoring with 21 goals in the Northern Premier League Premier Division for Ilkeston FC in 2014-15. Carruthers stated of Duffy “we are getting a proven step 2 and 3 player who has scored plenty of goals and has vast experience to support the younger players in our group.”

Aaron Hooton needs little introduction as he returns to the club. Starring for Basford in the EMCL, he attracted a lot of attention with his goal scoring feats securing a move to Kevin Wilson’s Ilkeston FC in 2012-13 where he hit the ground running immediately scoring at the higher level. A few seasons later and with experience gained in the Northern Premier League Basford are delighted to be reacquainted with the popular local striker. Carruthers said “Aaron can dominate aerially and is a fantastic finisher who the club hope can make a real goal scoring impact this coming season.”

Another major signing sees central midfielder Anthony Howell (above with Martin Carruthers) sign from Carlton Town. Anthony is a powerful and experienced midfield player who has a great desire and presence. He has Conference experience for Mansfield Town and Alfreton Town and appeared for the Stags against Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2013. Carruthers is adamant Howell will add real quality and determination to the midfield area and help support the clubs young talent with his vast experience and leadership qualities.

With understandably a lot of interest in Basford players from last season’s success after the fourth placed finish, Carruthers is delighted to secure the services of the vast majority of last season’s group, including Evo-Stik South Goalkeeper of the Season Saul Deeney and young up and coming keeper Jake Wood.

Also secured is the defensive unit which includes Young Player of the Season Robbie McNicholas, Players Player of the year Rob Darkin, Mason Rowley and Billy Bennett. Midfielders Fabian Smith, Ash Grayson, Eugen Bopp and Kyle Dixon have all committed as well as the excellent pacey attacker Courey Grantham.

With Carruthers and Head Coach Mark Clifford also putting pen to paper on new contracts things are picking up momentum at Greenwich Avenue in planning for next season. A clutch of excellent young players from within the clubs education academy are coming through and with a host of talent invited to preseason everyone at the club is excited for the new campaign.

Basford will also welcome back striker Ben Hutchinson who will return to the squad after missing much of last season after knee surgery. Our supporters know only too well the goals Ben contributed last season most notably from free kicks and it will be good to get his vast experience and huge talent on the clubs new state of art pitch.

The club would like to further extend their best wishes to striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas, midfielder Josh Thornton and defender Dion Miekle at their new clubs. All contributed greatly to recent Basford successes.