FORMER Cherry Marc Pugh has made a return from retirement – to line up with brother Lee at eighth-tier Clitheroe FC.

Pugh made 312 appearances for Cherries, helping them rise from League One all the way to the Premier League, the winger scoring 56 times and setting up another 52 goals for teammates.

Since retiring from professional football after a spell with Shrewsbury Town, Bacup-born Pugh has become a health coach, helping footballers with the nutrition side of the game with his Instagram page “The Foodie Footballer”.

Clitheroe currently occupy the final play-off spot of fifth in the Northern Premier League West Division, with six games to go until the conclusion of the campaign.

Boss David Dempsey told the club’s website: “To bring in a player of Marc’s calibre is testament to everything we are trying to do at this football club.

“Marc will add an abundance of quality to the group, a vast amount of experience, and will hopefully be able to give us that extra bit of quality to see games off for the run in of the season.

“After speaking with Marc I feel his sense of passion for the game and his hunger to achieve something this season for his local community alongside his brother Lee.

“It goes without saying I am over the moon to add Marc to the group. It’s a really exciting signing for the football club and one I’m sure the fans will get behind too!”