Bradford Town 1, Clevedon Town 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bradford Town 1, Clevedon Town 1

FORMER Arsenal trainee Russell Milton has signed for Bradford Town as manager Mark Hodkinson looks to build on an encouraging start to the season.

The midfielder could take his Toolstation League Division One bow at home to Chard Town tomorrow, with Bradford looking to protect a four-match unbeaten run.

With former Chippenham striker Steve Tweddle and League of Wales goalkeeper Danny Holdcroft already added to the squad this season, Hodkinson is hoping the arrival of Milton will be another piece in the jigsaw.

He said: "I am not quite sure how regularly Russell will be able to play for us but he has promised me he will make himself available as often as he can.

"Experience has already proved vital this campaign and I am sure Russell will add to that. He has undoubted quality and it is another big signing for Bradford Town."

Former Arsenal trainee Milton spent six seasons with Cheltenham Town between 1997 and 2003 where he played a major part in their rise to the Football League.

He also played in their 1998 FA Trophy victory before being released at the end of the 2002-03 season.

Despite interest from several other clubs, Milton joined Bath City and got off to a flying start with two goals against Weston- super-Mare in his second match.

He picked up an injury while celebrating the second goal and the rest of his time at Twerton Park was blighted with further injury problems.

He took on a player-coach role during the 2004-05 season before being released at its conclusion. He also played for Dover Athletic and had a spell in Hong Kong during his successful career.

Hodkinson will be hoping Milton can have the same impact as the arrival of Tweddle,who scored his third goal of the season to earn Bradford a point on Saturday.

Hodkinson said: "In the first half we were awful but we managed to turn it round after the break and in the end we probably could have won it.

"Steve has been fantastic for us all season. He works so hard up front and while he has scored goal, it is more what he adds to the team in experience.

"He is always talking to the lads and geeing them on, as is Danny in goal. Both players have had a massive impact in helping us get over out first couple of defeats."

Summer signing from Trowbridge Town Ricky Trott could be fit for tomorrow, having recovered from a broken collarbone but Nathan Gant and Russell Whatley are unavailable.

Hodkinson said: "We are still looking for our first home win of the of the season and that would be very welcome on Saturday."