Central defender Sam Egerton, attacking full-back Declan Walker and striker Liam Hughes have all signed on the dotted line to take the number of new recruits at Matlock to eight.

Twenty-eight-year-old Egerton joins the Gladiators from NPL Division One North West side Trafford where he was captain.

He signed for Trafford in March 2019 having previously played for Ashton United, Nantwich Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Lancaster City.

Walker, also 28, joins from league rivals Stalybridge Celtic, for whom he signed exactly a year ago following his departure from Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town.

He featured for Aberystwyth at right-wing and in central midfield and was the Black & Green`s top scorer during the 2017/18 season with 14 goals from right-back.

Before joining Aberystwyth, he spent four years at Bangor City and played 19 games for Wrexham in the National League, having come through their academy.

During his time at Bangor, he featured in their Europa League qualifying campaign.

He has also featured for the Republic of Ireland’s under-19 side.

Hughes (pictured) is a 6`4” attacking midfielder who was with Southern League Premier Division Central side Stratford Town and NPL Division One South East outfit Frickley Athletic on dual-registration last season.

The 27-year-old joined Stratford in October 2019 from Vanarama National League North outfit Bradford Park Avenue.

He had joined Avenue in the summer of 2019 and registered for Frickley in February 2020

He started his career at Cambridge United where he made 161 appearances, and went on to gain experience with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Barrow AFC and Darlington – so has been around Scottish Premier, League Two, National League and National League North.

He has also had spells with Billericay Town and Gainsborough Trinity.

Phillips has already brought in strikers Sefton Gonzales and Kayde Coppin, winger Callum Dolan, midfielder Callum Chippendale and full back Reece Kendall as he strives to put his own personal stamp on the Gladiators squad.

Ian Richardson