JIM Harvey's two new signings were standing by for their debuts as the Shrimps visited Gateshead in the GM Vauxhall Conference last night. The vast experience of new Shrimps stars Steve Foley and Paul West is expected to add steel and know-how to a Morecambe side still searching for its first Conference win of 1996. Foley, 33, is perhaps the most well known of the pair having made 371 Football League appearances and scored 49 league goals in a career that has taken in Stoke City, Sheffield United, Swindon Town, Grimsby Town and Lincoln City.

25-year-old West comes to the Shrimps after being released by Wigan Athletic. He started at Port Vale and was on the books at Bradford City before moving to Wigan where an injury limited him to just three first team appearances.

The arrival of the two former professionals has coincided with the departure from Morecambe of midfielder Ian Horrigan.

Morecambe will be entertaining Radcliffe Borough from Division One of the Unibond League in the quarter-finals of the Lancashire ATS Trophy at Christie Park next Tuesday night, February 6.

One week later, that's Tuesday February 13, is the date of Morecambe's re-arranged match in the Spalding Cup against Conference leaders Macclesfield Town at Christie Park.

One more date for your diary. Get your shinpads out of the cupboard and get ready for Norman Hunter who will be the star of Morecambe's next Sportsman's Dinner to be held at the Carleton on Monday April 22. Call Peter Howard on (01524) 411797 to book your place at what should be a great evening.

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