GREAT Harwood Town have signed up Kendal manager Peter Smith - but John Hughes doesn't have to worry about losing his job.

It's Harwood boss Hughes who has arranged for Smith, a crowd favourite in his previous playing days at The Sportsmans, to join his side as a player when his commitments with the UniBond Division One club permit.

The Kendal manager will be available for Monday games and any time the Cumbrians don't have a match.

Hughes said: 'Peter will bring us experience up front and the kids can learn from him."

Having an older face in the line-up is somewhat contrary to Hughes's current selection policy.

Youngsters Matty Derbyshire and Darren Rogers were joined in the squad by 15-year-old Adam Wagstaffe for Monday's 4-3 win against Darwen.

Hughes said: "Adam played half an hour, then after the game he said he had to go because he had to do his homework!

"This team is getting younger and younger but we're always capable of scoring goals at the moment and I'm confident."

Wagstaffe was one of a number of youngsters released by Bury, where Hughes was a youth coach last year, over the summer.

Another, Jim Thompson, is also set to join from Mossley and Harwood have put seven days' notice in for another couple of players.

Tomorrow they are away to Castleton Gabriels in North West Counties League Division Two.

Paul Mashiter will be the only absentee, missing the game through work commitments.