Hayhurst and Griffiths put pen to paper

Curzon Ashton have solidified their squad with two familiar faces re-signing ahead of the new season. 

Experienced winger Will Hayhurst returns to the Nash after making more than 100 appearances in the previous two campaigns.  

The 30-year-old Lancastrian began his career at Preston North End, playing 36 times for his boyhood club in League One, before spells in at York City and Notts County. 

An ACL injury hastened his retirement from the pro game in 2016, although he soon returned to action in non-League with Southport and Warrington Town.  

Hayhurst then helped Farsley Celtic to the Northern Premier League title in 2019, alongside his future Curzon manager Adam Lakeland. 

Curzon manager Craig Mahon has also rewarded midfield lynchpin Luke Griffiths with a new deal. 

He was instrumental in their National League North play-off charge after stepping up from FC United in March. 

"It’s tremendous news for the club,” said club Chairman, Wayne Salkeld. “They’re both fantastic players, and it was so important that we kept the nucleus of the team from last season. 

“But, we’re still looking for new additions to help us kick on.” 

Liverpudlian Griffiths, who turns 26 on the opening day of the new season, played 151 times in two spells for the Broadhurst Park outfit. 

He started at the Bolton Wanderers academy under current Hyde United boss, Nick Spooner, before anchoring the midfield at Prescot Cables, Marine and Warrington Town. 

Griffiths joins Devon Matthews, Stefan Mols, Isaac Sinclair and Marcus Poscha in signing extensions that will keep them at the Tameside Stadium until the summer of 2025. 

Meanwhile, towering centre-half George Waring is still discussing his future after being offered a fresh contract, as Curzon look to build on last season’s record high 7th-place finish.