Blake moves to Bretton Gate straight after appearing in the Beijing Olympics. He's currently working at Oundle School and has committed to City's National League campaign until Christmas.

Defender Blake played in the Premier Division for Cannock last season alongside former City star Gareth Andrew.

City will play in the Conference East Division this season and face tough opponents in former Premier Division sides Canterbury and Old Loughtonians.

They have also signed eight other players with the potential to make the first-team squad including three goalkeepers. Jake Loweth has made the short trip from Long Sutton, Giles Cadman has 400 National League appearances for Southgate to his name and James Richardson is a highy-rated 'keeper from Warwick University.

Midfielders George Houghton and Ben Hudson have been signed from Cambridge City, Danny Needham is another midfielder who was with Bourne last season and Alex Armstrong (Beeston) and Peter Ellis (Sheffield) already have National League experience.

Former Great Britain Olympian Kalbhir Takher is back for a third season as player-coach, but Adam Drake has stepped down as manager to concentrate on playing. John Short is the new team manager.

Injury has ended Short's playing career, while Town have also lost forward Simon Shorter to a knee injury. England youth forward Alex Boxall may be lost to Premier Division side Loughborough Students as he is just starting a degree course at the top sporting university.

City open their Conference East campaign with a home game against Canterbury on September 27.

Needham scored on his club debut as City drew 3-3 with Maidenhead in a friendly played at Milton Keynes over the weekend. Joe Finding scored the other goals.



Other City friendly scores: 2nds lost 5-0 to Milton Keynes; 4ths beat Milton Keynes 2nds 3-2 (Chris Porter, Chris Samuel, Stuart Bond); 6ths drew 3-3 with Milton Keynes 3rds 3-3 (Keith Huggins 2, Arran Nicholls).