The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Mark Atkins' has taken his summer signing spree into double figures since the weekend’s 5-0 win over Hucknall Town.

The Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division manager took his tally to ten new faces this week with the additions of midfielders Martin Foster and Phil Roe plus winger Ryan Hindley, striker Joe Leesley and full back Will Dennis.

Atkins has already strengthened with Frickley duo James Ashmore and Bradley Grayson, striker Lee Ellington from Guiseley, midfielder Lewis McMahon and defender Ryan Laight.

New man Foster is a busy midfielder and at 34 Atkins believes he’ll add experience and stability to the Gladiators engine room in the coming campaign.

Atkins said: "That experience is vital, I played with him when he was a young lad at Doncaster. He's played at a good standard all of his career and we're trying to change the dynamics of our midfield. Martin and James Ashmore should add fluidity with Krissy Bowler and Gareth Davies also in the mix."

Roe has been under the management of Micky Adams at both Sheffield United and Port Vale. Adams has released him twice in the past but is delighted to see him back.

"Phil hasn't played as much as he'd have liked recently and he wants to be back playing. He can play anywhere on the left and in midfield so that should prove useful," said Atkins.

The Gladiators' two other new boys, veteran Hindley and young striker Leesley, both scored at Watnall Road and their new boss says his summer business is now complete.

The glut of signings has created competition throughout the team and Atkins insisted: "I can't see anyone else coming in now. We've the nucleus of a very big squad with basically two players for virtually every position so it's very much an open book as far as the team is concerned for the opening game on August 18.

"I know which way I want to play and individuals will tell me over the next couple of weeks whether they want to be in the side when the season gets underway by taking games by the scruff of the neck."

Matlock are in action again on Friday night at Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Ossett Albion and Atkins is looking forward to another tough test before Sheffield Wednesday arrive at Causeway Lane next Wednesday.

He added: "Games are never easy and Albion will be a good game for us. We play League clubs for the revenue and sometimes they can be a bit false but this should be a tough test.

"It will again be a matter of the lads standing up for themselves. We've lost just the one friendly so far against Chesterfield and we want to win as many games as we can, whether they be friendlies or competitive games."