New centre back arrives in summer's first signing

By Matt Lawton
June 2 2004

Leigh RMI manager Phil Starbuck has completed his first signing of the summer with the capture of centre back Craig Gaunt from Unibond Premier League champions Hucknall Town.

Gaunt spent nearly ten years with Arsenal before gaining Conference experience with Kettering Town and Chester City prior to moving to Hucknall, Starbuck's former club. Despite winning the Unibond League, Hucknall's ground wasn't deemed good enough for the Conference, a move which ironically helped to pave the way for RMI's Conference safety, which meant that Gaunt didn't want to turn down the opportunity of a final chance to play in the top flight of non-league football.

Gaunt has been signed to replace former club captain Martyn Lancaster, ironically another former Chester defender, who was released by Starbuck at the end of the season.