The experienced Groves has been brought into the squad by manager Scott Oliver to bolster his defensive options after Rhys Williams moved to Northern League Second Division side Washington and last season`s player of the year Jack Donaghy has been ruled out for two months after a freak injury to his arm in an incident outside of football.

Groves started his career with Darlington and made 16 appearances during their stint in League Two.

He left the Quakers after their relegation out of the Football League to join Blyth Spartans where he made 53 appearances and become established as the Croft Park outfit`s right-back.

He moved to Spennymoor Town in the summer of 2012 and was a regular in the defensive line-up, but, unfortunately, he missed out on the club`s visit to Wembley in the 2013 Buildbase FA Vase Final after being admitted to hospital for emergency surgery on a twisted bowel and appendicitis.

Having moved to Shildon in 2015 and made an impressive 92 appearances and scored 2 goals. His 6`2” frame and Northern League First Divison experience fits in very well with the squad Oliver has assembled to help the club achieve its goals for the forthcoming campaign.