Skem fighting to sign Tyson

Feb 21 2013 Skelmersdale Advertiser

TOMMY LAWSON is hopeful of adding Burscough captain Chris Tyson to his Skelmersdale United squad in time for Saturday's trip to Ossett Town.

Lawson has identified the 31-year-old midfielder as a target, and placed seven-days' notice – the standard procedure for signing non-contracted players in non-league football – with Burscough last week.

Tyson, formerly of Bootle and Cammell Laird, has until Friday to decide whether to make the switch across West Lancashire, and Lawson believes he could become an integral part of Skem's promotion push if he chooses to make the move.

“He's someone I have admired for a long time, and all the feedback I have had in terms of personality and attitude has been very positive,” he said.

“We have lots of football to play, 19 matches in all, between now and the end of the season, and we are going to need every member of our squad. We have lots of cover in attacking areas, but perhaps less in midfield, and I think Chris could be a massive cog in our wheel for our promotion bid.”

Lawson has already added quality and experience to his squad in recent weeks, capturing strike duo Mark Beesley and Josh Hine, along with defender Shaun McCartney.

Skem maintained their place at the summit of the Evo-Stik First Division North this week, following up Saturday's 1-1 draw with New Mills with a battling 1-0 win at Prescot Cables on Tuesday, with Rob McIntosh's first-half strike the difference.

It leaves them six points clear of Trafford, who lost to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday, with three games in hand. Lawson wants his side to maintain their momentum at Ossett this weekend.

“We keep on challenging the players,” he said. “When we won at Trafford, I said to them that these are not the kind of games that win you the league. It's the Ossetts, the Harrogates, Prescots, Gooles, those battles are where you win the league.

“Fortunately, we have managed to retain our consistency all season long. We lost to Burscough, but we bounced back with a 6-1 win at Curzon, which was a real statement of intent.

“We were able to make a few changes at Prescot, on a real tough pitch, and still got the result.”