Hyde United manager Dave McGurk hails gr-eight progress

By Tom Blackett

HYDE United manager Dave McGurk reckons he’s gone a long way to sorting out the base of his team – after EIGHT players agreed to stay at Ewen Fields.

Goalkeepers Joe Green, Craig Ellison and Riccardo Longato and defensive quintet Brad Roscoe, Andy Hollins, Tom Morris, Kyle Brownhill and Jordan Fagbola have pledged their allegiance to the NPL Premier outfit.

On his keepers, McGurk said: “We see Joe as a bit of a project and his form for the last four or five games before Covid hit was brilliant. He’s got huge potential and we are delighted to keep him. Craig will rejoin us for pre-season and I’ve had an open conversation with him that’s he’s behind Joe in the pecking order but there’s still a shirt to fight for. Riccardo is making fantastic progress and has got a bright future.”

With regard to his defenders, ex-York centre-back McGurk, 38, added: “Brad was our best player for the games we did play last year. He’s had huge interest so I’m delighted he’s committed to us.

“Tom stepped up a couple of levels last year and Andy has loads of attributes going for him as a centre-half.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get Jordan back. He’s put in some serious work and we all know his abilities. He’s one of the best centre-halves at this level.

“Kyle is a player who I know what I’m getting out of every week and he’s the fittest player I’ve worked with. We have great competition for places now.”