MCKAY SAY: Nantwich Town captain Darren Thornton tells Jim McKay he is impressed by the club's ambition.

Thornton honed his skills as a youngster at the Leeds Utd Academy before going on to sign contracts with Bradford City F.C, Scarborough, Guisley, Osset Town, Wakefield, Hyde, Macclesfield Town and most recently Curzon Ashton F.C

The 27-year-old said: "The set up is one of the best in non-league football in terms of facilities which is obviously a factor, but the manager here went to many lengths to make sure that I signed – that assured me that I would be appreciated by the club.

"The club's ambition also runs right through from top to bottom. This was key for me.

"On a personal level I'm hoping to replicate the promotion success I had last season with Curzon Ashton.

"But I'm sure if you asked any of the lads within this league that question then 90 per cent would say the same, promotion or play offs is the drive - and that's great in my opinion as you go into every game knowing that nobody in the league is prepared to settle for a mediocre season.

"My hope would be to get promoted by any means possible, but the target has to be to make the play offs – to be there come the final run in of games.

"That's a real expectation now with the squad that the gaffer (Phil Parkinson) has put together here."