Defender Ben Barclay joined the club on a two-year deal in July 2023.

Having spent the previous season on-loan with the Blues from Stockport, he wrote himself into club history when he netted the goal that took the club to Wembley following a tight double-header in the play-off semi-final against Bradford in May 2023.

He scored twice in 16 appearances for United that term, and became a fan favourite as he ended the campaign in excellent form.

Barclay cut his teeth with Manchester City, but moved to Brighton at the age of 16. He was included in Chris Hughton’s 25-man Premier League side for the 2018/19 campaign, such was his impact in the under-23 level.

He spent the second half of the 2018/19 season on-loan with Notts County, before moving to Accrington Stanley on a permanent basis during that summer. Two seasons at the Wham Stadium ended when he joined Stockport County in August 2021, and he enjoyed a 20-game loan spell with Yeovil to finish off that season.