News round up

Josh Gowling

Darlington’s Boost The Budget campaign has passed the halfway mark after supporters pledged more than £87,000 towards next season’s playing budget.

The Quakers have received 310 pledges so far, leaving them just under £93,000 short of their £180,000 target with six days remaining. The fan-owned club previously revealed more than £1.1million has been contributed through the scheme over the last nine years.

Chester have completed the signing of defender George Burroughs from fellow National League North side Oxford City.

The 23-year-old right-back has signed a one-year deal at the Deva Stadium after making 40 league appearances during Oxford’s successful battle against relegation last season. Burroughs previously worked under Chester boss Phil Parkinson at Altrincham after coming through the ranks at Coventry City, while also enjoying spells with AFC Telford United, Redditch United and Stafford Rangers.

Former Hereford loanee Jak Hickman has joined Southern League Premier Central side Redditch United after leaving Halesowen Town.

The 27-year-old, who briefly featured for the Bulls on loan from Coventry City in 2019, arrives at the Valley Stadium following a three-year spell with Halesowen where he made 129 appearances. Redditch boss Mike Fowler hailed Hickman’s “incredible ability” and said the versatile right-sided player would bring “experience, maturity and a voice” to his squad.

Former Hereford manager Josh Gowling, who spent three years at the helm at Edgar Street, has been accepted onto the Premier League Elite Coach Accreditation Scheme.

Gowling, who now works in the youth set-up at Coventry City and is a UEFA A-licensed coach, described the opportunity as a chance to “stay curious” and continue developing within the professional game.