A TRIO of Tadcaster Albion players have left Ings Lane to join Evo-Stik League rivals Scarborough Athletic.

Former Boro duo Pete Davidson and Will Annan have returned to the Seadogs and have been joined in making the move to the coastal club by defender Ellis Barkworth.

Scarborough slipped out of the premier division play-off reckoning late on this season and finished ninth, with boss John Deacey quickly starting preparations for next season. Taddy finished one point off the play-offs in the east division as their bid to join the Seadogs in the higher tier stalled.

Annan had signed for Scarborough last pre-season and started the campaign well until being ruled out with a long-term injury that required surgery.

He went on to finish the season at Tadcaster with some impressive performances.

He told Althetic's website: "It was a no-brainer to come back as soon as the manager rang me.

"It was frustrating for me last year as I was carrying the injury and it was a bit of a weight on my shoulders.

"After my operation I couldn't break back in here so went to Tadcaster and really enjoyed it there.

"Next season I just want to play as much as I can and help the team be up at the top fighting for promotion."

Popular playmaker Davidson returns to Boro after leaving the club in March 2016. He was previously with the Seadogs for almost four seasons, making more than 150 appearances and being a key man in their Northern Counties East League title-winning side in 2012-13.

He said: "I've always wanted to come back ever since I left. It's always the first result I look out for.

"I played under John for a year at Farsley so we both know what each other are about. I think with the size of club that this is then we have to aim for promotion next season."

Barkworth, a 21-year-old right-back, was also recently at Tadcaster after being on Hull City's books since he was a junior - making an appearance for the Tigers' first team in the League Cup.

He said: "Speaking to other players made my mind up. Obviously Will was here last year so I had a chat with him about the club knowing it was likely he was coming back and I've played football with Luke Lofts since I was eight.

"At Tadcaster we were unlucky not to make the play-offs but I always wanted to play at least the league above so I'm really looking forward to this opportunity."