MIDDLEWICH Town players have sent out a message to their rivals after pledging their future to the club.

Each and every one of Terry Murphy's squad signed for next season this week, a sign the Witches boss believes they are ready to fight for their title.

"It shows incredible commitment," he said.

"I put the forms on the table at our presentation evening on Saturday and invited people to take one if they wanted.

"All of them were returned the same night."

Supporters picked winger Jonny Edwards as their Player of the Year, while the team chose midfield destroyer Craig Stevens as Town's star turn this term.

Murphy himself chose to reflect on what might have been.

"My speech had a couple of themes," he said.

"Nobody remembers who came runners up so in that respect I was disappointed with how our season went, particularly after we lost in the Cheshire Cup too.

"But I was still proud of the players for the effort they put in, remember we were 20 points behind Styal at one stage."

Murphy says he intends to lead Town again next season.

"Styal will find it tough as everybody wants to beat the champions," he said.

"That's certainly what we have found the past few years so in some ways we will have less pressure on us to perform.

"We'll use that to our advantage."

His first move has been to boost Town's forward line with the addition of former Barnton and Winsford United front runner Dave Tasker.