NEW signing Matt Preston says the united passion to take Solihull Moors into the Football League convinced him to join the club.
The 26-year-old Birmingham-born central defender has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the club until May 2023.
A second new face under new boss Neal Ardley, Preston joins from Barnet, where he made 16 appearances in all competitions across the 2020-21 campaign.
“I’m delighted to sign,” said Preston. “I’ve played against the club quite a few times in the past and I’ve always thought it’s a good club.
“Everything that you need is here. I think everyone at the club wants to get promoted, that’s what the ambition is.
“First and foremost, I’m a defender and my job is to help keep the ball out of the net. I’d like to think I can keep the ball as well and recycle where it needs to be recycled.”
Preston started his career at Walsall where he captained their under-18 side before signing his first professional contract in January 2013.He went on to make more than 100 Football League appearances for the Saddlers, Swindon Town and Mansfield Town.
In October 2020, Preston signed for Barnet.
Moors will renew their acquaintances with old boss Mark Yates with a trip to his current club Stourbridge in pre-season.
Ardley’s men head to Amblecote next Tuesday (July 27), with a 7.30pm kick-off.
Yates, who oversaw Moors’ Great Escape and then returned to hold the reins last season after Jimmy Shan was axed, has drafted in several ex-Moors players to his Stourbridge side, including Liam Daly, Lee Vaughan and Darryl Knights.
Moors says that as a gesture of thanks to Yates and his assistant Neil Howarth and Stourbridge for their support last season, all gate receipts will go to the Southern Premier side.
Meanwhile, Moors will stage a Legends Charity Match and Family Fun Day at their training base at Studley Sports Centre on Sunday August 8.
The events, which will include a shirt auction, will raise money for the Solihull Moors Foundation.
The match between Birmingham City All Stars and Wolves All Stars will kick off at 12.30pm, with doors opening from 10am. Former Moors boss Marcus Bignot and player Darren Carter will be among the players, as well as Martin O’Connor, Lee Carsley for Blues and Jody Craddock, Karl Henry and Dave Edwards for the Old Gold.
Tickets cost £5. For more see the Moors website.
