DEAN Whitehouse says the capture of striker Matt Jukes is “massive” for Tividale.

The former Bustleholme hitman had agreed to join Tipton Town but has now decided to join the Dale for their first season in the Midland Alliance.

His arrival represents something of a coup for the Packwood Road club and the signings have not stopped there. Whitehouse has also snapped up prolific marksman Mark Swann from AFC Wulfrunians, along with former Gornal winger Kris Green and experienced keeper Paul Fellows.

He said: “Getting Matty Jukes in is massive for us.

“He was our first choice at the start of the summer and we thought we had missed out on him, so to get a second bite of the cherry is obviously a boost.

“Mark Swann is another player who knows where the goal is and we have a few options up front.

“Along with Chris Wattley they are good signings.”

Tividale will kick-off their pre-season next Tuesday, July 19 when they tackle AFC Smethwick at Blackheath Town’s York Road ground.

In the meantime, Whitehouse has responded to comments made by Cradley Town boss Steve Daniels last week over Tivi’s playing budget last term, when they completed the double of West Midlands League and Cup.

Daniels said he would find the league a “cake walk” if given the same cash but Whitehouse - who is well-used to speculation surrounding the amounts paid to players at Tivi - believes the Hammers boss should concentrate on his own team.

He added: “I’ve no desire to get involved in a tit-for-tat argument but I did find his comments a bit rich, especially when you know for a fact they have a budget up there and some players on contract.

“They must be paying those lads in fairy cakes!

“I don’t care what anyone thinks we had last year, at the end of the day we are up and out of that league now.

“Maybe I will go and watch them on a Tueday night sometime.”