Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager Craig Elliott has described the signing of Matt Thornhill as a “massive coup”
By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
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Craig Elliott has bolstered his Shaw Lane Aquaforce ranks with the signing of a former Football League player.
Matt Thornhill, who helped Nottingham Forest win promotion out of League One in 2008 is one of three new additions to Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Shaw Lane.
Experienced Stocksbridge Park Steels midfielder Alex Callery and Workington winger George Conway are the other two. Conway is the ineligible player that Maltby Main played last season and cost them 12 points.
Despite being just 24, Thornhill has played for Forest in the Championship, alongside spells at Brighton, Cheltenham and Hibernian.
For the last two years, he has been playing at Buxton and Elliott is delighted to get his signature.
“It is a massive coup for the club,” Elliott told Non League Yorkshire.
“He’s one I didn’t think we would get as a couple of other clubs were after him, but I convinced him to be part of our project.
“He has a fantastic CV and he did well at Buxton last season. Everyone at the club is pleased to have him.”
Elliott hopes to tie up the rest of his squad tomorrow night at training. Luke Danville, Paul Haigh, Kane Reece and Grant Barley are definitely returning to Shaw Lane.
Striker Ash Flynn has left and Elliott, who signed Lee Morris and Joe Thornton recently, added: “It has been a positive week.
“We have signed some good lads and George Conway is one players I’m looking to see play because I have heard a lot of good stuff about him.
“We have missed out on a couple of players, but I am really happy with what we have got.”