Former England under-19 captain Ross Gardner has made the short trip from rivals Ilkeston Town for an undisclosed fee, making him the eighth player to be added to Eastwood's squad since the season's end.

Gardner started at Newcastle United's academy and enjoyed regular league football at Nottingham Forest and Port Vale, and Ramshaw is delighted to have him on board.

He said: "Ross has a nice blend of successful professional experience and a blossoming semi-professional career, and will be an excellent addition to the squad.

"He scored 12 times from midfield last season, and this is a unit of the pitch Paul Cox and I have looked at as needing to be a source of more goals.

"Ross was very keen to come here, even offering to take a pay cut if it meant the deal could go through successfully, and he was impressed by the things we're trying to achieve."

Gardner, who once played alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Tom Huddlestone for England, voluntarily ended his professional career and subsequently landed a good job in the Nottingham area, and was a key player in helping Ilkeston Town preserve their UniBond Premier Division status last season.

The Badgers now go into their first friendly at Ollerton Town next Wednesday with a healthy squad to choose from, though one player missing for a few weeks will be new signing Ross Adams, who it appears will need an operation on a groin injury.

Ramshaw said: "There's a nice set-up at Ollerton and the game will be a good chance to see what progress we've made, especially as they were our final opponents at the end of last season.

"We anticipate taking a squad of around 18 players and will aim to use all of them."

- The draws for next season's major cup competitions have thrown up some interesting ties, not least in the FA Trophy where Eastwood will face their rivals from across the brook, Ilkeston Town.

The match will take place on Saturday, October 18, and Ramshaw says it will be one everybody will savour.

"Fans and players always look forward to local derbies and this will be no different," he said.

"There will also be added spice given a few of our lads used to play there."

The FA Cup could see Ramshaw reunited with Kidsgrove Athletic, where he once spent a season as manager.

This is dependant on the Staffordshire side overcoming the winners of the game between AFC Wulfrunians, of Wolverhampton, and Birmingham-based Pilkington XXX, in preliminary rounds.

Ramshaw added: "Kidsgrove are a nice club and I had a very good year there. I know their current boss John Ward well and his sides are always difficult to beat.

"We're pleased we got a home tie because in the early stages that's what you're looking for, and then if you get nearer the first round proper you start hoping for the away trips to the likes of Leeds United.

"But the FA Cup is important as the financial rewards for winning each round are good, so we'll be hoping to do well even though the league remains the priority."