TOM Bailey, leading scorer for 1874 Northwich last season, will attempt to find the net against them next term after signing for West Didsbury & Chorlton.

They announced the 26-year-old’s arrival yesterday.

He had told his now former club he could not commit for a second campaign after starting a new job in Manchester.

“It’s a team that’s going places,” he told West’s website.

“I’ve said for the past few years that I’d like to play for them, so in the end it was a no-brainer.

“Travelling has been an issue for me, both at Glossop and then Northwich last season, but that’s not the only reason I’ve joined.”

Bailey, who scored 31 goals in all competitions for 1874 last term, is set to line up against them in the North West Counties League’s top-flight during the forthcoming campaign.

He is the second high-profile departure from St Luke’s Barton Stadium this summer following Ryan Mitchell’s transfer to newly-promoted City of Liverpool.

Danny Meadowcroft has arrived from Barnton as a replacement.

The back-marker was on the field for a first friendly of the summer against Altrincham’s reserve team at Middlewich Leisure Centre.

Joe Woolley, direct from a free kick, and front man Scott McGowan scored Northwich’s goals in a 3-2 defeat.