1874 NORTHWICH confirmed the addition of Danny Meadowcroft to their squad when they announced their first signings for next season.

The experienced defender, who played for Barnton in the North West Counties League last term, is one of four new recruits named by the club on Thursday.

Ben Woods, a left-back that made a handful of appearances during a brief spell at St Luke’s Barton Stadium two years ago, is another.

“Ben is keen, and has improved since,” said co-manager Wayne Goodison.

“He’s still a young lad, but one with plenty of potential.

“I worked with him [while with Rambsbottom] the season before last, and he went on to Hyde from there.

“He’s had to rebuild his confidence a bit after that didn’t work out, but that’s something we’ve got faith he can do here.”

Woods is a contender to fill a vacancy created by Matthew Russell’s departure, confirmed earlier this week, to a higher-ranked club.

Kazim Waite-Jackson, a midfielder that was most recently with Congleton Town, and wide man Ryan Jackson are the other two players to be unveiled yesterday.

The latter is currently waiting to have surgery on a long-term knee injury, and is not expected to feature until he has fully recovered.

Goodison said: “We want to have Ryan Jackson firing on all cylinders, but to do that he needs to get his rehabilitation right.

“That may take a little while, but his attitude has been great during pre-season and he’s taken part in all of the fitness and conditioning sessions we’ve done.”

1874 are scheduled to play Atherton LR in a second pre-season friendly tomorrow, kick off 3pm.

They went down 3-2 against Altrincham reserves in their opening runout last weekend.