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Five new signings for the Nailers

Five new signings for the Nailers

David Laughlin7 Jun 2016 - 21:38
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https://www.belpertownfc.co.uk

Manager, Charlie Palmer certainly hasn't been spending summer lazing on his sun bed if today’s news on player acquisitions is anything to go by.

No less than five new players have signed up for the forthcoming season, including two former old boys who have made a welcome return to the club.

Topping the list of signings is prolific goal scorers, Reuben Wiggins-Thomas, (pictured) who has re-joined the Nailers from Basford United, after spending five seasons away from Christchurch Meadow.

Without question, Wiggins-Thomas is one of the best strikers in the Northern Premier League, finishing as top scorer for Basford in each of his two seasons and netting 27 goals last term for the Nottingham club.

A former Chesterfield trainee, his original spell with Belper came to an end just days before the departure of former manager Tommy Taylor after the team’s disastrous start to the campaign.

He initially moved to Carlton Town where he spent three seasons before joining Basford United in summer 2014 and has also had playing experience at Buxton and Hucknall Town.

Another player moving from last season’s play-off semi-finalists, Basford United is defender Josh Thornton, (pictured below).

Thornton is a highly rated defender who spent four impressive seasons at Carlton Town before joining Basford in summer 2014, having been a highly sought after transfer target for United. He also played previously for Arnold Town from whom Carlton Town paid a fee for his services.

His arrival at the Marston’s Stadium followed impressive performances last season particularly against the Nailers, a factor which was influential in Palmer’s quest to bring the player to the club.

Two players have also made the move from the Nailers’ Derbyshire rivals, Gresley FC with hugely versatile player, John Guy (pictured below) being the first to sign on the dotted line.

Guy originally joined the Moatmen from Mickleover Sports at the start of the 2013/14 season and played predominantly at left back and in midfield at the Moat Ground.

But Gresley’s former manager Gary Ricketts successfully converted Guy to a striker in his final months at Gresley, and he repaid he manager by scoring some important goals to stave off the possibility of relegation.

Nailers manager, Charlie Palmer is convinced that Guy’s versatility will be a huge asset to the Nailers in the coming season.

Completing the double move from Gresley is midfielder, Jack Langston (pictured below)

Langston’s arrival at the Marston’s Stadium will allow him to renew his partnership with current Belper skipper, Eric Graves, both having played together in the heart of the Gresley midfield a few years ago.

He originally joined the Moatmen from home town club, Stafford Rangers but left to join Chasetown towards the end of the 2013/14 season only to re-sign for Gresley in July 2014.

Previously, he played under his father, Dave Langston’s management at Rocester.

Finally, another former player to make a circular route back to the Marston’s Stadium is striker, Jordan Ball (pictured below).

Ball made his original debut for the Nailers in August 2012 with a goal against Coalville Town, having joined Belper on loan from Doncaster Rovers.

He had been a prolific goal scorer for Rovers’ youth team and following his recall from his loan spell with the Nailers, he made a scoring first team debut for Rovers against reigning cup holders, Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

He had a short unsuccessful spell at Halifax in 2013 and decided to move to join former Mansfleld Town colleague Adam Murray, in a new project at Rainworth Miners Welfare.

He went on to play at Mickleover Sports and Gresley FC and he also had a spell in Swedish football at Ånge IF before returning to the UK.

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