NORTHWICH Vics have added to their former Manchester City contingent by signing ex-Maine Road midfielder Mike Quigley.

Keith Alexander snapped up the 30-year-old who was released by Hull City in the summer after 67 appearances

Like Northwich striker Adie Mike, Quigley, 30, broke into City's first team after coming through the youth ranks and played 12 league games for the Blues.

He made his first appearance as a sub at Leigh on Monday and his acquisition should go some way towards compensating for the blow of losing Richard Norris.

Norris broke his arm in the Boxing Day clash with Leigh RMI and may not return before the end of the season, while losing Gary Fletcher with an ankle over Christmas brought more festive pain for Vics.

Fletcher could be fit for this Saturday's home match with Hereford United as Conference games reach critical importance for Alexander's men.

Defeat at Leigh on New Year's Day leaves them sliding dangerously back towards the relegation zone, now in 18th.

Ironically, this dip in form on the field clashes with the board making an official statement of moves forward off it.

Last week they announced an exchange of contracts for the acquisition of 8.5 acres of land to build their new stadium at Wincham Business Park.

Chairman Rod Stitch said: "I am delighted that significant progress has been made in securing our long term future. An application for outline planning permission and for change of use has been submitted to Vale Royal Borough Council and that is the next hurdle we must overcome.

"Nevertheless, we are making progress and we hope to be able to conclude a sale of the Drill Field in the near future."

The price Vics get for their ground is expected to be in the region of £2.5 million, but a further statement on their position will be made on Thursday, January 18 at the annual general meeting of shareholders.

This will be the first time shareholders have met since an EGM in July when they voted in favour of the pursuit of a new ground for Vics to move to on their own.

They also voted in favour of sharing at Wincham Park, a stone's throw from their proposed new site, for the 2001-2002 season but this option appears to have been abandoned.

Following the Hereford match, Vics travel to Matlock Town in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy a week on Saturday, January 13.

A coach will leave the Drill Field at 11.30am on the day of the match. Contact Dave Thomas at the club on 41450 for details.