NEW Clitheroe boss Phil Brown has taken his number of summer signings to nine.

Paul Dugdale, who was with the Blues manager at his previous club Lancaster City, is the latest new arrival at Shawbridge.

The 31-year-old left-sided defender has also played for Glossop North End and Kendal Town.

“Paul’s been one of our main targets this summer and to finally get him is great news,” said Brown, who has acted quickly in the transfer market as he looks to improve on the club’s fortunes in the Evo-Stik North/West Division

“He was excellent for me at Lancaster. He topped the awards in his first season and was an ever-present last season.

“Paul’s signing now means the left-sided positions are all boxed off.

“We have some very good left-sided players who can play across a couple of positions.

“We still have a couple of positions elsewhere to add to before I can say we are all done and dusted but we are nearly there.”

Dugdale’s arrival follows that of another defender, teenager Olly Muir, who has completed a permanent move to the club having impressed while on loan around Christmas time last season.

Like his fellow new recruit, the 19-year-old was last with Lancaster.

Muir had been offered a new deal by the Dolly Blues – where he made a handful of first-team appearance in the Evo Stik Premier last season - but has opted to link up with his former manager.

Brown said: “Olly has developed well over the last couple of seasons.

“It’s important that he now builds on that development and getting more minutes under his belt is key to that.

“As a left footer he will add balance to the defending unit and increase our defensive options.

“He did well on loan here last season and I’m sure he’ll do well now he’s back permanently.

“I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Clitheroe finished 18th last season in what was then known as the Evo-Stik West last season, only above bottom two Kendal and Skelmersdale United.

That saw manager Lee Ashforth move on with Brown, a promotion winner with Lancaster City in 2017, swiftly appointed as the new man at the helm.