AFC Telford United sign Neill Byrne and Chris Lever

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Neill Byrne

Conference North side AFC Telford United have signed out-of-contract former Southport defenders Neill Byrne and Chris Lever on one-year deals.

Byrne, 20, arrives at Bucks Head following his release by Rochdale, having spent the latter half of last season with the Sandgrounders.

Lever, 26, scored 10 goals in 92 league games in three years at Haig Avenue.

Seven of Telford boss Liam Watson's 11 summer signings played under him at Southport.

Watson took charge on 3 May following Telford's relegation back to Conference North.

His first two signings were Southport duo Sean Clancy and Simon Grand and he has also signed two players from promoted Chester, striker Tony Gray and midfielder Matty McGinn, who both played under him at Haig Avenue.

Last week he signed Mansfield Town defender Andy Owens, who spent last term on loan under Watson at Southport.

Watson has also signed another Chester player, Wes Baynes, Skelmersdale United winger Mike Phenix, and two players from AFC Fylde - forward Adam Farrell and winger Sean Cooke.

Watson has also brought in two men to join his backroom team, physio Chris Roberts, who also arrives from Southport, and goalkeeping coach Andy Pryce.