Atherton Collieries manager David Chadwick has made his first playing squad announcements ahead of the beginning of the 2024/25 pre-season.

Jack Evans, Jack Buckley, Kyle King and Lewis Thompson have all committed to remaining at the club for the upcoming campaign, with defender Thompson also appointed as the new first-team captain.

He told the club “I’m delighted to be here, I really enjoyed the games I played at the club last season and I’m looking forward to it. I feel like it’s a good decision to make, I really enjoyed playing under the gaffer and that was a big reason for me.

“It’s a big privilege and a big honour to be made captain. I feel like I lead by example on the pitch, and again it’s another reason I’m looking forward to this season, going forward we can hopefully have a really successful one.”

Thompson will lead a side with several new faces for the 2024/25 campaign.

Striker Eden Bailey has arrived from Hednesford Town and winger Max Bardsley-Rowe returning from Stockport Town.

The latter said: “It feels great to be returning to the Colls - I really enjoyed my short spell here last time out, it’s a club with a feelgood factor and a great local fanbase.”

In midfield, Alex Doyle has joined from NWCFL Premier side Colne, whom he represented with almost 30 goal contributions across 51 appearances last season.

After signing for the Black and Whites, he told the club: “I like to do both sides of the game, creating chances obviously and stopping them at the other end as well. I’m looking to add a couple more goals to my game, too, and hopefully hit double figures this season.”

Defensively, 22-year-old Calen Gallagher-Allison has signed having previously impressed with Lancaster City and Longridge after developing through the academies of Burnley and Manchester United.

He added: “It was fantastic to get the deal done. I’ve had some great chats with Chaddy over the off-season and it became a no-brainer, it’s a great club who I know take care of their own.

“I’ve had a few great battles over the last couple of seasons against the Colls, it is always a tough side to play against which is a testament to the recruitment and the way the team is drilled.”

Colls remain in talks with Lewis Mansell, Oli Putnam, Ethan Beckford and Dylan Thompson, while Dylan Moonan and Mo Ali have confirmed their departures this summer.

Youth section trio Ben Layton, Liam Sheppard and captain Bobby Fenlon have again registered with the first-team after making their senior debuts last campaign, with some of their Under-18s team-mates also receiving senior training opportunities over pre-season.

The next outing for Colls comes tonight at Prestwich Heys in a clash postponed on Tuesday due to the heavy rain throughout the day.

Then, they are on home soil on Saturday when they welcome Bury to the Skuna Stadium.