Defender Bird flies in to sign for Matlock
Matlock Town have bolstered their squad this week
Pierce Bird became the latest name through the door at Matlock Town ahead of the new campaign as the defender was confirmed as Ryan Cresswell's next signing.
Centre-half Bird, 27, has bags of experience at the top levels of non-league, and is also a Northern Ireland U21 international.
He was most recently with Kidderminster Harriers, whom he helped secure promotion to the National League's top flight last season.
Bird has established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the non-league pyramid. His ability to build attacks from the back, combined with his defensive , and had previously enjoyed success with AFC Fylde, helping the Lancashire side to the National League North title three years ago.
He has also represented several well-known clubs including Notts County, Boston United, Eastleigh, and King’s Lynn Town.
Cresswell said: "Pierce is another great signing for us and his experience speaks for itself. He's been a regular performer at step two in recent seasons and so we're hopeful he'll be a real asset to us next season.
"We are continuing to build a really good squad now and aren't far off in terms of recruitment, with one or two more faces perhaps required ahead of the pre-season games."
Meanwhile, Matlock have confirmed they will host one of Cresswell's former clubs, Rotherham United, in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 18.
That date was originally booked in for a trip to Buxton but that game has been cancelled, with the two clubs still open to rearranging the fixture before the summer is out.
Rotherham will therefore be the visitors to the Proctor Cars Stadium as they prepare for life in League Two following relegation last season.
With the regular fixtures against Chesterfield, Derby County and Mansfield Town having been shelved this year - primarily for reasons related to their opponents' pre-season plans - Matlock's game with Rotherham is currently the only fixture against a full-time side which has been arranged.
The Gladiators will also host Grantham Town (July 4), Belper Town (July 11), Quorn (July 14) and Mickleover (July 21) before an away game at Carlton Town on July 25. All of those matches are against sides who will also compete at step four next season, and all in the NPL Division One Midlands.
Further fixtures could yet be announced before the competitive action begins.