TIVIDALE made another statement of their intent to be big players in this year’s Midland Alliance with the capture of central defender Richard Huckfield.

Last year’s MFA player-of-the-year joins from Tipton Town and is the latest piece in what manager Stuart Scriven hopes will be a promotion jigsaw.

Scriven has also got striker Brett Clark back on board after his horrific facial injury two seasons ago.

“We are delighted to have Richard with us,” said Scriven. “He’s immense both in the air and on the ground. Other clubs were in for him including some from a higher level but because of some of his commitments he wanted to stay at Alliance level.

“Richard wanted to be with us as he sees how myself and the club want to push on and his signing just shows our intent to do that.”

Scriven added: “I’m also pleased to have talked Brett out of retirement. “He was the league’s top-scorer before his injury and offers us great competition up-front.

“We are about 95 per cent there with the squad numbers we wanted and we have competition for places all over the pitch, the attitude at training as been spot on and i can’t wait to get started.”

Others to commit to Tivi are midfielder James Cooper, former Black Country Rangers and Tipton keeper Jack Hayfield, and teenager Charlie Price.

Mitchell Plows defender and Tom Tonks midfielder have also joined from last season’s Tipton Town squad.

Last season’s Tividale keeper Luke Stevens and winger Luke Male have also signed forms for the new term.