Maltby Main hope for goals boost from returning striker Ross Duggan

Duggan bagged 33 goals in 69 appearances in his first spell with the Miners and is back at Muglet Lane after spending the first half of last season with Yorkshire Amateur in the Northern Premier League before moving to AFC Mansfield.

The front man was recruited by Russ Eagle before his managerial stint at Maltby came to a swift end this month.

Duggan will now operate under new joint managers Andy Dawson and Lee Whitehead following their switch from Parkgate and opened his Maltby account when slotting a penalty in last Saturday's 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Worksop Town.

“Ross is a marquee signing, a very good signing,” said Main chairman Wilf Race ahead of tomorrow's NCEL Premier Division opener at home to Frickley Athletic.

“People will ask 'why is he back?' The truth is he was one of three or four very good strikers at Yorkshire Amateur and geography has had a lot to do with it, travel.

“We are looking forward to seeing Ross hit the ground running and become the goal scorer the club has lacked now for a couple of seasons.

“We have signed good players and it has not worked out for whatever reason.

“With support from what I think will be a good team, let's hope he can get 25 or maybe 30 goals or more per season.

“That's what we're looking for but nothing is guaranteed in football.”

Duggan joins a group of attacking players including Freddy Tracey and Brandon Bagley, two of the large contingent who have followed Dawson and Whitehead to Muglet Lane from Parkgate.

Main are an established top-flight club now and finished sixth, fifth and 11th in the last three completed seasons and want to challenge at the top end.

And on the basis of what he has seen so far, chairman Wilf is confident Maltby will be a fitter side this season.

He added:  “Preparation has been slow due to the recent change in managers and players in and out. Despite that being the case, it is clear to me a lot of these lads look after themselves.

“There's the odd footballer around who thinks if they train for an hour on a Tuesday night or a Thursday then they are going to get fit, when in reality the better lads at the level are doing bits on top of what their managers put them through.”

Kick-off tomorrow is at 3pm.