Last season’s NWCL player of the year Matthew Bryan who, at 29 years of age and having never played higher than the NWCL Premier Division, has decided after six years working with Peters he is now moving onto to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League West side Trafford.

In order to supersede the loss of Bryan, Peters moved swiftly to capture Daisy Hills leading goalscorer Michael Gervin, who scored 16 goals in 36 matches and did receive the player of the month for December.

In addition, striker Matthew Dell, who played an integral part in Bacup getting to the play-off final in 2015/16, returns.

Another player returning to Bacup from Prestwich Heys is striker-cum-winger Anthony Hall.

Experienced midfielder Gary Lillie joins from NWCL Premier Division outfit West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Scott Simpson comes from another NWCL Premier Division side in Padiham, as does right-back Liam Simm.

Peters told his club`s website: “Whilst I did my best to keep Matthew Bryan, given his age and his desire to play higher, given the contribution and excellent season he had and the loyalty he has shown to me and this football club, I just could not stand in the boys` way.

“It was important I moved swiftly in obtaining my target replacements and I am pleased to say I was successful in doing so, the introduction of experienced midfielder Gary Lillie is a massive boost to an excellent squad that last season had to encounter playing fifteen games in eight weeks - a really tough schedule following the weather which affected the entire country. In the final two weeks, we had to come up against promotion contenders from which we did finish against top sides with four straight wins.

“Having only lost Matthew Bryan from that squad and adding to it the six players in question with more players pending, I am hopeful about the season ahead. I am happy that I have the quality in depth to deal with all eventualities one can expect in a nine-month tough season”.