AFC Darwen have pulled off a transfer coup by signing former Legia Warsaw player Eddie Stanford.

Stanford played for Legia in the Polish Ekstraklasa First Division but the Blackburn-born midfielder, who had been playing for Stalybridge Celtic, will be available for tomorrow’s home game against Rochdale Town in the North West Counties League First Division Trophy quarter-final.

Stanford began his professional career at Coventry City and during a two-year term with the club, he made his first team debut in 1983 as a 73rd-minute substitute for Dean Gordon in a 2-0 away defeat at Millwall.

The 27-year-old has also played locally for Nelson and Chorley.

Meanwhile Clitheroe aim for back to back wins as they and the rest of the area’s non-league teams bid to return to action after two wiped out weekends due to the big freeze.

Paul Moore’s Blues ended a run of four games without a win when they beat Goole on January 12 and they hope to give their fans something to cheer when Ossett Town visit Shawbridge.

Ramsbottom United also aim to return to action and welcome Ossett’s near neighbours Wakefield to the Riverside.

Chorley face a tough trip to Warton for their Premier Division showdown with AFC Fylde, who despite being below the ninth-placed Magpies in the table, have games in hand on the sides above them thanks to their FA Cup run and are just four points off the play-off zone.

The Magpies can also give their hopes a major boost if they win and boss Garry Flitcroft is aiming to make a challenge.

New Barnoldswick management duo Kevin Richardson and Paul Fildes take charge for the first time against Stockport Sports in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Padiham bid to bounce back from their Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy pain with an Arbories clash against Norton United, while Colne go to Alsager and Bacup Borough make the trip to Ashton Athletic.

In the First Division Nelson face Cheadle Town – and that game kicks off at 2pm due to work on the floodlights at Victoria Park.