LEIGH Genesis have begun their squad building for the Evo-Stik League Division One North season, with the retention of six players from their successful side of the previous campaign.

Hot on the heels of their Crilly Park home passing an inspection to host Evo-Stik league football next season, the club have confirmed veteran midfielder Andy Heald will be player-coach as part of Mark Maddox's off-field team.

In a huge coup for the club, dependable left back Kris King has committed to a third consecutive season.

Although still only 21-years-of-age, King has made a total of 73 appearances over the past two seasons to cement his place in the side.

Also staying with the club is highly-rated winger Chris Dykes.

The 21-year-old, who previously played for Macclesfield Town, will also be entering his third season with the club, overcoming an unlucky succession of injuries to establish himself towards the back end of last season.

Dykes is joined by 19-year-old Scott Sephton, who is equally at home at right back or in midfield.

Sephton made a goal scoring debut as a seventeen-year-old midfielder in November 2008, but last season had a successful run in the side as a right back before losing his place due to injury.

Maddox's selection options have also been boosted with the return of nineteen-year-old striker Richard Ratcliffe, who joined the club in January having previously played for Stockport County and in Sweden for Ytterhogdals IK, scoring one goal in nine starts and six substitute appearances for Leigh last season.

Completing this raft of signings is 19-year=old central midfielder David Hill, who has found himself on the fringes of the Leigh first team squad for the past two seasons, making a total of 22 appearances since his debut in November 2008.