SEVERAL big names have jumped aboard Harrogate Railway's bid for promotion from the NCEL Premier division.

Last season's Harrogate Town captain, Robbie Whellans, has switched sides and talented former Town 'keeper Liam Sutcliffe has also become a surprise signing from Spennymoor.

Paul Stevenson and Lee Ryan, brother of Scott, joined from Guiseley and Emley, respectively.

Chris Howarth, however, has been snapped up by Farsley Celtic, while Liam Gray has left Harrogate altogether for a shot at the big time with his band in London, although he is still signed on.

Rail boss Martin Haresign said: "When I go through the team, I can actually name an entire 11 who have all played in the UniBond.

"I never expected to get Liam Sutcliffe because he was on something like £250 a week at Spennymoor but he's come here to play for next to nothing.

"We've got high hopes but it's going to be difficult. You have to win the league to get promoted but there's no reason why we can't come in the top two or three."

Mickleover Sports visit Starbeck tomorrow in a match which could indicate the early strength of Haresign's crew, having lost twice to the outfit last season.

Goalkeeper Chris Hill has become the latest to sign for Goole as they prepare for their opening game clash against newly-promoted Maltby Main.

Hill has arrived from Bridlington Town to become the sixth close season acquisition for one-man boss Paul Marshall. Ossett Albion's title-winning captain David Watts and former Harrogate Railway cup-winner Dean Wilson have also pledged their allegiance to the side.

Marshall said: "I still feel we need to bring another couple of players in but we are not far away after these three good signings, who will benefit the club."

He continued: "We will have to watch out for Maltby because we don't know much about them but they will probably still be on a high from last season.

"But we have got two home games to get our title challenge off to a good start."

Goole will host Hallam on Tuesday night in a re-arranged fixture.

Selby Town have secured the services of three ex-League players to give their ambitions a healthy boost.

The Robins had looked favourites for promotion half way through last season, but petered out towards the end.

Manager Bob Lyon, however, believes that former Blackburn Rovers and York City school of excellence man Lee Atkinson, York-born and ex-Aston Villa midfielder Cameron Stuart and forward Jason Harris, formerly of Hull City, could all help achieve the kind of consistency needed to strike gold.

He said: "Apart from perhaps Dominic Moyles and Andy Cygan, we have kept virtually all of last season's squad, and I, personally, think we have got a better squad of players. All we ever work for is an average of two points a game, and as Ossett Albion won the league with exactly that total, we know if we hit that we have a chance."

New-boys Long Eaton United host Selby in their first game.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, August 20, 2004