Bateman bolsters defence

Manager Steve Bateman has moved to bolster his defensive ranks with the signing of 34-year-old competitive midfielder/defender Steve Perkins.

A player with considerable experience in the higher echelons of non-league football, Perkins started his career playing in Burscough's youth team before joining Plymouth Argyle in the Football League after impressing in the Western League with Crediton United.

Having made a number of League appearances, he went on to join Stevenage Borough in 1997 before securing a £10,000 move to Woking a year later. Perkins has also represented the British Universities and lists Aldershot (where he helped them win promotion into the Conference), Ebbsfleet United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Woking, Hayes & Yeading and Welling United, where he was most recently, among his previous clubs. Perkins quit Welling in September 2009 after struggling to make it to training from his Chiswick home.

Perkins made his debut in today's 5-1 victory over Biggleswade Town.