Richard Butcher was the latest signing for the Silkmen this week and Macclesfield Town manager Gary Simpson was delighted to have got his man despite competition from other clubs.

"We've said all along that we are looking for players who not only have the ability on the pitch, but will fit in with the rest of the players, and Richard certainly fits in with that. He knows the lads from last season and will be an important player for us next season.

"He's also shown a real commitment to the club. Not only did he turn down offers from other clubs to join us - offers which I believe were better paid, but he is also relocating with his partner to the region from his home in Lincoln.

"He's really doing things the right way for us and the fans at the club already know what he is all about after his spell with us last season."

And he adds some more experience to the side?

"We have a young team, yes, but I've always believed the old saying that if you are good enough, you are old enough. But we have some lads with a lot of experience such as Nat Brown, Paul Morgan and now Richard butcher who have all been there and done it, but done it at the right end of the division."

We've already got a good squad signed up, what else can we expect.

"I'm still looking for four or five players in the right positions in the squad to be ready for the season. Keeping last season's injury situation in mind I'm probably looking for a midfielder or two, possibly a wide player and someone up front. And we've only got on senior 'keeper on the books so need to look at that as well.

"Of course you have to do all this within the constraints of the budget and if a particular player is right for the club and on a bit more money we might have to miss out on another position. But then we also always have the loan market we can dip into if someone comes up who will improve us."