LEAGUE One shot-stopper Phil Senior has bolstered Northwich Vics defence after keeper Kristian Rogers left the club this week.

Vics boss Steve Burr has snapped up the 23-year-old former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper on a one-year deal.

Senior made more than 50 appearances for Huddersfield but was released at the end of the season.

Burr said: I had initially offered Kristian a new deal but he has moved to Cardiff with his girlfriend and I felt that the travel between Cardiff and Northwich would be too much. He was keen to stay but he would only be able to attend training two mornings a week, which was not what we are looking for as we move towards becoming a full-time club.

'We are obviously sorry to see the lad go, he has done a fantastic job for us and was instrumental in our success last term, missing only one game all season.

'But I had to make a decision and in Phil we have a keeper with lots of league experience and who is young and confident enough to be a great keeper for us this season.'

Senior met his new teammates at the first pre-season training session in sweltering heat on Saturday.

Burr said his charges looked in good nick, and will be running the rule over a number of trialists ahead of his side's first pre-season friendly at Kidsgrove on Monday night, with a particular view to strengthening the midfield following the loss of Mark Devlin, before games at home to Port Vale a week on Wednesday (7.45pm) then Chester City on Saturday, July 15 (3pm).

Burr said: 'We have got some tough opposition lined up - including Crewe, Accrington and Manchester City - but that's what we want. We did it last season and it prepared the players well, and the whole pre-season is geared up to facing Cambridge United away on the opening day of the season.' nThe Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust AGM was attended by 36 members and the trust chairman, Paul Stockton, gave a comprehensive report on the happenings over the last 12 months.

The new board was duly elected and Stockton emphasised his desire to see the Trust develop over the next 12 months and for it to continue to support not just Vics but the club's supporters and the local community as well.

He added: 'John Gleave's motion to fold the trust was withdrawn two days before the AGM and the new board duly elected to carry on with the running of the trust.'