David Holdsworth, sacked in a cost-cutting exercise by stricken Scots club Gretna, is finding his feet as the new manager of Ilkeston Town.

Holdsworth, who replaced former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Jemson in the hot seat, has signed centre back Tom Jones from UniBond South side Sheffield FC and also recruited forward Sam Duncum, who has just been freed by Coca-Cola League Two side Rotherham.

Jones, 27, has been at Sheffield for four seasons and twice won their player of the year award. He has also played for Worksop Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Buxton.

Holdsworth said: "I am very pleased to have got him. We gave away seventy-two goals last year and we have to shore up the defence. He is a big centre back with great quality and is a leader."

The 21-year-old Duncum arrives with a ringing endorsement from Rotherham manager Mark Robins, the former Manchester United striker.

He can play on the left or through the middle and was twice a first-team substitute in League Two last season as well as in cup games.

He also went on loan to York City in the Blue Square Premier last season.

While cutting his teeth in the Unibond Premier, Holdsworth, 39, can look back on a successful playing career. London-born Holdsworth played as a centre-half for Watford, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Walsall, Bolton Wanderers, Scarborough and Gretna, and was capped for England at Under-21’s level.

Holdsworth, whose twin brother Dean was also a professional footballer, is pictured in his playing days with Birmingham.

After retiring from playing he became reserve team manager at Gretna, where he was appointed director of youth development in May 2006, but was sacked in a cost-cutting exercise a few months later.

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