RAMSBOTTOM United have further bolstered their first-team squad with the signing of striker Dominic Marie.

The 23-year-old striker won promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier with Hyde United last season.

Marie had spells with Marine and Prescot before joining the Tigers and Rammy boss Mark Fell was delighted to land the tall forward, while admitting there are still new faces to be brought in.

“We’re still actively recruiting and are very close to at least one other major signing,” said Fell. “Dom has fantastic attributes and has scored goals at this level and above.

“We’ve been without a real pacey number nine for a while now and in Dom we think we’ve found the answer.

“He’s very professional in his approach and dedicated, he needs to settle at a club and get his head down and we think he’s going to be a great addition.”

Rams fans got their first glimpse of Marie when he featured in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat in their friendly at home to Chester, now managed by former United duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.

Ramsbottom have been handed away ties as they get their FA Cup and FA Trophy bids under way.

In the FA Cup The Rams enter at the preliminary round stage with a journey to fellow Evo-Stik West side Kidsgrove Athletic on August 25.

In the FA Trophy, Rammy will be on the road in the preliminary round, with a tough tie away at the winners of the clash between Trafford and Colne.

That match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 13.

The Rams' pre-season game at Burscough, scheduled for this Saturday, has been cancelled.

Rammy were in friendly action on Tuesday night, as they lost 1-0 to Chester FC, now managed by Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, who began their management careers at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot, with John Pritchard slotting in after Gary Stopforth had been brought down in the box just after the hour mark.

Pritchard could not convert a second spot-kick eight minutes later, however, firing over after Matty Hughes had been sent tumbling.

Fell’s team are next in pre-season action on Saturday, July 21, when the Rams entertain Blackburn Rovers under-21s, kick-off 3pm.

The following Tuesday, League One side Fleetwood Town, now under the management of Joey Barton, are the visitors to Ramsbottom.