Aldershot Town: Martin Rowlands among five to sign deals

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris and midfielder Martin Rowlands are among five players handed deals by Aldershot Town.

Morris, 29, played six games for the Shots last season, while veteran Rowlands, 34, made 40 appearances for League One side Leyton Orient.

Defender Joe Oastler, and strikers Matt Paterson and Brett Williams have also joined the Conference Premier side following a trial period.

The Shots begin life back in non-league with a trip to Grimsby on Saturday.

Oastler, who can play right-back or central midfield, began his career at QPR and played 122 games during three seasons at Torquay before the 23-year-old was released in May.

Former Southampton trainee Paterson, 23, scored seven goals in 34 appearances for Burton Albion last season, while Williams was let go by Reading this summer after spending the campaign on loan at Woking.

Former Republic of Ireland international Rowlands, who has had spells at Brentford and QPR, said signing a deal at the EBB Stadium was "the only offer that was right for me".

"Andy [Scott, Shots boss] is putting a good squad together, and I think we can get out of the blocks quickly," he said.

"With my experience, I hope I can play a big part in what we want to achieve here. It's a young and energetic squad and we want to move forward up the league."

The Shots will start the campaign with a 10-point deduction after going into administration following their relegation from League Two.