Hyde United have made two new additions to their squad ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Wythenshawe FC.
Akeel Francis made an instant impression when he scored after just 10 seconds against Blackburn Rovers in Hyde’s first pre-season game.
The well-travelled striker has been on the books of Rotherham United, Accrington Stanley, Wrexham and Rochdale, and had stints in Scotland with Falkirk and Stirling Albion.
He added to his tally by scoring the winning goal on Tuesday night in Hyde’s 2-1 win against National League side, Halifax Town.
Tigers boss Nick Spooner has also recruited Ethen Vaughan from Bootle, with whom he reached the Northern Premier League West Division play-offs last season.
The full-back also spent time on loan at Stalybridge Celtic and Bradford (Park Avenue) in early 2024, featuring from the bench as Hyde cantered to a 5-0 win against the Yorkshire side.
A former Wales Under-19 international, 22-year-old Vaughan began his career in the Huddersfield Town and Norwich City academies, before securing a move to Burnley alongside his younger brother, Rohan.
Guiseley brought him into non-League football in 2022, with subsequent moves to Marske United, FC United and Bootle.
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