Buxton manager Gary Hayward has been busy reshaping the Bucks squad in readiness for the resumption of football at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium. So far retained from last season are experienced goalkeeper Grant Shenton, who was in tremendous form at the back end of the aborted season, two former Sheffield Wednesday youngsters Warren Clarke and Connor O’Grady and three players that Hayward brought in after being appointed manager. They are midfielders Tom Elliott and Reece King and right-back Matt Curley. The club is still in negotiation with a couple more of last seasons’ squad.
We are delighted to announce a number of newcomers, with a mixture of experience and youth, but with an emphasis on Conference standard players. Shane Killock has signed from Alfreton Town. Shane is a former Huddersfield Town centre-half who has captained AFC Telford United and has had lengthy spells at Harrogate Town and Bradford Park Avenue. Another experienced defender is Stephen Brogan who has joined from Spennymoor Town. Brogan is a former England ‘C’ international who started his career at his home-town club Rotherham United before an extensive career in non-league soccer.
Speedy winger Callum Powell is a new recruit from Nuneaton Borough having started his career at Northampton Town and has had spells at Tamworth, Wrexham and Stourbridge. Former Port Vale junior midfielder Jack Sherratt has signed from Stafford Rangers. Sherratt hit the headlines in 2013 when he won a pro-contract at Orient through Samsung’s ‘Win a Pro Contract’ competition. Experienced midfielder James Berrett has been recruited from Grantham Town. Berrett is a former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international who came through the ranks at Huddersfield Town before enjoying a long career in the professional game at Carlisle United, where he made over 200 appearances, Yeovil Town, York City, Grimsby Town and Halifax. One former player returning to the Silverlands is much-travelled winger Osebi Abadaki who was with Gary Heywood at Hednesford Town last season.
The forward line has been bolstered with the addition of Reece Styche and Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls. Bailey-Nicholls is a former Birmingham City youngster who has signed from Bedworth United having previously played for Wrexham and Alvechurch as well as a loan spell at Nantwich Town in 2017. Styche (Pictured) is a current Gibraltar international who spent last season at Hereford and Bromsgrove Sporting. He started his career at Hednesford before raising his profile with a productive spell at Forest Green, where he earned an England ‘C’ cap. Styche has been a consistent scorer throughout his career which has taken in the likes of Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town, Tamworth, Darlington and Alfreton Town.
Gary Heyward and club chairman Dave Hopkins are still in negotiation with a couple of further signings with news expected soon.