Hyde United have reinforced their front line in a bid to strengthen their push for promotion in Northern Premier League, premier.
Manager Nick Spooner has brought in three forwards and a midfielder to help the second-placed Tigers sustain their title bid.
And Will Russ, signed on one month’s loan from League One side Fleetwood Town, made an instant impact scoring twice on his debut in a thrilling 4-4 draw at FC United.
“It is no secret we have needed a striker. I felt we needed some fresh faces to turn recent draws into wins,” said Spooner.
“We have been up at the top all season and deserve something to show for our efforts this season which is why I have made the signings.”
Russ, 20, provides a physical presence up front Hyde have lacked with Spooner adding his presence provides different options.
The Welshman was in Leicester City’s academy and Fleetwood have also loaned him to FC United and South Shields.
Teenage striker Rio McEvoy, capped once by Eire at U18 level, arrives with a glittering CV. He started out at leading Irish club Cherry Orchard but has since been at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers.
“Rio did not have a club and I was approached to see if he could come and train with us,” explained Spooner.
He has also signed 19-year-old Donay O’Brien-Brady, an exciting winger, on a one-month loan from Championship club Huddersfield Town with whom Hyde have close ties.
Spooner has also been reunited with Alex Perry, 24, who he coached in Bolton Wanderers’ academy from the age of 10.
Perry brings EFL experience having made two first-team appearances for Bolton, 25 for Wigan Athletic and 17 for Scunthorpe United.
Two players to leave Hyde are Adam Dawson and Eddie Brown.
The hugely experienced Dawson, 30, who has played in the EFL for Accrington Stanley and Notts County, has joined rivals Nantwich Town. He signed in the summer from Bamber Bridge.
“Adam was disappointed not to be starting which I fully understood him wanting to play and not be on the bench,” explained Spooner who added Nantwich put in seven days. He pointed out there was no bitterness and they parted on good terms.
Striker Eddie Brown, who Spooner also coached in Bolton’s academy, has returned to former club Wythenshawe Amateurs on dual forms.