ANDY BISHOP has secured the signing of his “first choice left-back” for Southport after former team-mate Neil Ashton penned a one-year deal.
The pair played alongside each other at Wrexham and they will team up again at the Sandgrounders. Ashton, 31, cancelled his contract at Barrow by mutual consent to allow him to move to Haig Avenue, where he will serve as vice-captain to Gary Jones.
He signed for the Bluebirds last summer and made 22 appearances in the National League but his last came on January 9 against Tranmere Rovers following the re-signing of Nick Wilmer-Anderton on loan.
Ashton has enjoyed long spells at both Shrewsbury and Wrexham, winning the FA Trophy with the Red Dragons in 2013 before his release in May 2015 following five years in north Wales.
He subsequently moved to Barrow last summer following their return to Non-League's top flight but he has now followed in the footsteps of former team-mate Ashley Grimes to Southport.
Bishop told Southport's website: “I'm delighted to get Neil, we've been working on a deal since last season. He was always going to be my first choice left-back.
“For me he's one of the best in the league and he'll come in as vice-captain under Gary Jones.”
