Frickley Athletic sign former Grimsby Town player and appoint new assistant manager

Former Grimsby Town central midfielder Tom Sawyer has joined the Westfield Lane club from Skegness Town.

The 22-year-old was a first year pro with Grimsby before moving to Skegness and will be a welcome addition to the Blues ranks when joining for next season.

Manager Dave Frecklington Gaffer said: “Tom is a very very good prospect. He’s tenacious in the tackle and an excellent passer.

"He will complement Kegan & Frecks in the engine room.”

Leaving the club is left-back or winger Tyler Williams, who has moved onto Belper Town.

Frickley, meanwhile, have moved quickly to strengthen their coaching ranks following the departure of Damo Parkinson, who has joined the management team at Gainsborough Trinity.

Leon Mettam - well known to Frickley supporters while with rival teams - has joined Frecklington's management team looking to win promotion in the Northern Premier League next season.

Mettam started his playing career at Lincoln City and has also turned out for Stamford, Corby, Gainsboro, Worksop, Tamworth, Kings Lynn and Spalding. He has been player-coach at Skegness Town most recently.

On his arrival at Frickley, manager Frecklington said: “I’m really pleased to get Leon in as assistant manager.

"He’s a great character to have around the place and his personality is infectious

"He demands high standards and is a born winner who has now dipped his toe onto the management ladder as a player-coach at step 6 and now has a great opportunity at a great club steeped in history.

"His knowledge of the game is excellent and he’s keen to use those skills and help develop the team to keep improving.

"He’s had a fantastic career and he will add all of his experiences especially to the younger players at the club.

"Having managed Leon previously I knew he would, one day, be an ideal candidate to be able to make the step up to management and is a massive addition to what is an already improving set of players and staff."