Former Boro ace Dave Merris joins Pickering Town

Merris, who left Boro last month after half a decade with the club, will be re-united with his fellow former Athletic coach Steve Roberts, who is manager of NPL North West Division outfit Pickering.

Roberts, speaking on the Pickering Town website, said: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Mez to Pickering Town. I worked with him for nearly six years at Scarborough and he brings a wealth of experience to the club.

"He was club captain in Scarborough's promotion season and then moved on to assistant manager. He has still got a good couple of seasons left playing, because he is a very fit player who has hardly ever had any injuries.

"He will help develop the younger players in the squad, but also add that leadership on the pitch which is vital at any level. He will assist in a coaching role but primarily he is here to play football.

"His former club list reads York, Harrogate, Guiseley and Scarborough. That list alone speaks volumes for his quality and professionalism over the years.

"I look forward to working with him again and know he will add so much to Pickering both on and off the pitch".

The experienced full-back was one of Steve Kittrick's first signings at Scarborough, he was a League Cup runner-up in 2015-16, helped Boro achieve Northern Premier League Division One promotion in 2017-18 as well as being a North Riding Senior Cup runner-up that season too - before going on to win the same competition the next campaign.