United sign Ellender and Thompson

Retford United have signed two more players as they build for their UniBond League Premier Division campaign.

Paul Ellender joins from Alfreton Town after a very successful spell at Boston United where he played more than 250 games for the Pilgrims in a seven-year stay at York Street.

The 34-year-old (pictured) captained Boston at four different levels of football, and was so popular he also enjoyed a testimonial match.

Starting his career as a trainee at Scunthorpe United, he moved onto Gainsborough Trinity, Altrincham and Scarborough before making Boston his second home.

He went out on loan to Chester City in 2006 before signing for Alfreton Town in 2008 where he made 12 appearances before returning for a second spell at Boston, this time on loan helping the club avoid relegation from the UniBond League Premier Division last season.

He has played with manager Peter Duffield in the past, and should add some more strength to the defence.

Along with Ellender, the Badgers have also swooped to sign 27-year-old Lee Thompson from Ilkeston Town.

A Sheffield United youth product, midfielder Thompson was an England youth international and moved on loan to Boston after failing to make his name at Bramall Lane.

In his loan spell, he scored five goals in six games which was enough to earn him a permanent contract.

Playing just short of 100 games at York Street, Thompson left to join Kidderminster Harriers and then to Worksop Town before heading back to the Pilgrims for a further 16 games in the 2007/08 season. From there he signed for Ilkeston Town.

Meanwhile, due to extensive work on the Cannon Park pitch, the pre-season match against Eastwood Town scheduled for Saturday, July 11 has been called off.

The Badgers have, however, added two more matches to the pre-season schedule with Duffield's side travelling to Rossington Main on Tuesday, July 14 before a trip to Parkgate on Thursday, July 30.

Both games kick off at 7.30pm.

United have been drawn at home in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy as they are set to face fellow UniBond Premier Division side Nantwich Town.

The Dabbers narrowly missed out on promotion last season losing in the play-offs to Ilkeston Town, and will be a side who are expected to be tipped for honours once again this season.

And United will be in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, after getting a bye in the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds.

The are set to face one of three sides in the First Qualifying Round – UniBond League Division One (South) side Lincoln United, Deeping Rangers, of the United Counties League or Friar Lane & Epworth who play in the Midland Football Alliance.

The match is to be played on Saturday, September 12.