Stalwart captain Liam McFayden’s dual-registration deal with Athersley Rec has benefits for both clubs, Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton says.
McFadyen recently ended his sabbatical from the Non League scene and with Stocksbridge not playing over Christmas, it provided a bedroom-sized window of opportunity for him to be lent to the Rec to get back up to speed, with Hilton able to watch from afar.
“It works for both parties,” Hilton told Non League Yorkshire.
“He needs to get some games under his belt after not playing for a while. We’re not playing over Christmas so it was like ‘get him out on loan’.
“There were three or four clubs after after him and it might be to do with that he knows (Shane) Kelsey and having played with Lee Garside at Worsbrough and Stocksbridge and also that it is local (why he has gone to Athersley).
“He’s been looking after himself fitness and he does look fit but the difference between fitness and match sharpness is huge. We’ll see how it goes.
“Kels has a young side and Fads has vast experience and he is a defender so hopefully he’ll guide the young ones while he’s there.”
McFadyen made his Athersley debut in the 4-2 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division defeat to Yorkshire Amateur and Hilton confirmed that some of his men may temporally play for other clubs whilst Stocksbridge remain in limbo in the NPL.
“We’re looking to get a few of our players out playing,” Hilton added.
“Nodder played a friendly for Houghton Main at the weekend just to get a game in as he injured for a month before we got shutdown.
“There’s a couple of others who have been injured looking to go out, just to play County Senior League or whatever leagues are still going.”