Stoke-born no-nonsense six-foot defender Ritchie Sutton (pictured), who started his career in Crewe Alexandra’s renowned youth academy, has joined the Dabbers.

Sutton turned professional in the summer of 2005 before joining Stafford Rangers in 2007, following two successful loan periods there.

The 36-year-old returned to the pro ranks with Port Vale in 2010 after making 40 appearances for Nantwich and was snapped up a year later by Mansfield Town.

After helping the Stags reach the Conference play-off semi-finals in his debut season, he was a mainstay of their return to the Football League as champions in 2012/13.

League Two was a step up he took in his stride, so much so that he was voted Mansfield’s player-of-the-season in his final campaign at Field Mill before joining Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal in May 2015.

The Birkenhead club had just been relegated from the Football League, but he played a key role in their return to League Two in his second season at Prenton Park.

He signed for League Two Morecambe in January 2019 and made 19 appearances for the Shrimps but was released at the end of his contract.

He signed for National League outfit Altrincham in August 2020.

Following Sutton from Altrincham is forward A-Jay Leitch-Smith.

The 32-year-old experienced striker signed for Altrincham in August 2021.

Crewe-born, he is a graduate of the famed Crewe Alexandra youth system.

He went on to make 103 senior appearances for his home-town club, scoring 19 goals, and also had loan spells with the likes of Halifax Town, Newcastle Town, Curzon Ashton and Icelandic outfit IVB.

He continued to make his mark in the Football League with Yeovil Town, Port Vale and Shrewsbury Town and then joined Morecambe in August 2018 on an initial one-year contract that was replaced by a two-year deal after he finished his debut season at the Globe Arena as their top scorer with 6 goals from 29 appearances, despite missing half the campaign with a hamstring tear.

Midfielder Jack Sherratt has been signed from league rivals Hyde United.

The 28-year-old had been with the Tigers since June 2020.

He was a 2016 summer signing for Hyde’s rivals Stafford Rangers from Kidsgrove Athletic.

He is a former Port Vale junior and England Schoolboy international who achieved fame in 2013 when joining Leyton Orient through Samsung’s ‘Win a Pro Contract’ competition.

After leaving Orient, he had a brief spell in Canada before returning to this country.

His other former clubs include Stone Dominoes, Alsager Town, Northwich Victoria and Ashton United.

And goalkeeper Louis Gray has also joined Dave Cooke’s squad.

The 26-year-old moves to the Weaver Stadium from National League North side Chester.

He had signed for the Blues on a permanent deal in August 2020.

He originally joined Chester on a loan basis from Carlisle United back in February 2020.

He made one appearance in the league, and one in the Cheshire Senior Cup before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also featured in the play-off eliminator defeat at Altrincham in July 2020.

He started his career at Wrexham, before being signed by Premier League side Everton back in 2015.

He featured for the Toffees in their Checkatrade Trophy games against Notts County and Mansfield Town in the group stages of the competition during the 2017/18 season.

Following the expiration of his contract at Goodison Park he joined up with Carlisle in 2018.