STEVE Wilkes has turned to two of his former players to strengthen the ranks of his new club Northwich Victoria.

Midfielder Sam Fitton and goalkeeper Michael Donlon, who both worked under Wilkes at Padiham, have joined Vics ahead of the new boss’ first game in charge at Maine Road tomorrow.

Fitton has been at another of Wilkes’ former clubs, Runcorn Linnets, since the start of September but has been tempted by a fresh challenge reunited with his ex-boss.


Fitton had previously been on the books of Macclesfield Town and Hyde United.

Donlon was also with Wilkes at Padiham until August but has since been minding the nets for Lancaster side Slyne-with-Hest, his most recent game being a 4-2 home loss to Haslingden St Marys in the West Lancashire League last Saturday.


His football career path started at Carlisle United in 2001 and continued at Burnley, Accrington Stanley as a youth team scholar and Lancaster City before joining Wilks at Padiham in 2016.