Ilkeston Bring in No Less Than SIX New Players

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central club Ilkeston Town have added no less than SIX new players to their squad ahead of this weekend’s game with Bedford Town.

Two players have arrived on loan from Vanarama National League side Scunthorpe United, 24-year-old midfielder Jordan Hallam and 21-year-old left-back Mason O’Malley.

Hallam is an attacking midfielder who signed for Scunthorpe from Championship side Sheffield United in January 2019.

The hardworking player came through the academy at Sheffield United to make his senior debut in a 4-2 victory against Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy in November 2016.

Prior to that, he had been prolific at under-18 level for two seasons, notching 60 goals in that spell, and has continued to score regularly for the Blades’ under-23 side.

He has enjoyed loan spells at Southport in the National League North and Norwegian second tier team Viking FK.

He also signed for Chesterfield on loan in the National League in 2018 and scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Eastleigh.

He appeared 5 times for the Spireites in all competitions.

He made 7 appearances for Scunthorpe towards the end of the 2018/19 season, scoring on his debut away at Rochdale.

Season 2019/20 was injury-hit and saw just one first team appearance, although he impressed in the under-23s.

During the 2020/21 season, he netted twice in 15 first team appearances, while he made 9 more appearances the next campaign.

O’Malley is a defender who joined Scunthorpe in July 2019, signing for the under-23 squad initially.

The left-back joined following his departure from Huddersfield Town.

He signed for the Terriers at under-14 level from Hunslet Boys and has featured in Republic of Ireland training camps.

Season 2019/20 saw him captain and perform well for the Iron’s under-23s before his breakthrough campaign into the first team the following season, making 31 appearances and earning a call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.

Midfielder Connor Dixon joins on loan from League One side Derby County.

The 22-year-old has come through the youth ranks at Pride Park, being part of the title-winning under-18 side in 2018/19 and then featuring regularly for the under-21s and under-23s.

Also joining on loan is goalkeeper Callum Hiddleston from Championship outfit Sheffield United.

He has come through the Blades’ academy and has gained a reputation for saving penalties, having stopped three spot-kicks in the FA Youth Cup last season.

He has featured for the Blades at under-18 and under-23 level and gained experience whilst on loan with Northern Premier League Premier Division side Guiseley AFC earlier this season.

Signing on a dual registration basis from their respective clubs, meanwhile, are defender Latrell Patterson from United Counties League Division One side Clifton All Whites and winger Mitchell Woakes from UCL Premier Division North outfit Heather St John’s.

Patterson was previously with Long Eaton United, Gedling Miners Welfare and Basford United.

Woakes joins Heather in November 2022 from Midland League Premier Division side Studley.

Beginning his career with Walsall as a youngster, Woakes also moved on to Nottingham Forest as part of their academy set up.

He then spent two years with Burton Albion before moving on to Tamworth where he also spent time loan at Coton Green before signing for Ilkeston’s league rivals Hednesford Town in September 2020.

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