Tommy signs up Foxes pal
NUNEATON Town have landed striker Ashley Chambers who goes straight into their squad for tomorrow’s trip to Halifax.
The 26-year-old England youth international launched his career at home-town club Leicester City alongside Boro boss Tommy Wright.
He made one start and eight substitute appearances for the Foxes before spells at York City, Cambridge United, Dagenham & Redbridge and Grimsby Town and he has logged 19 games for the Mari- ners this season, the last of them in December.
Wright said: “’I am delighted to be able to add a striker to the squad.
“I am even more delighted that it’s a Football League striker with great pedigree and one I came through the youth ranks at Leicester with.
“Chambo was four-years younger than me but he was coming through during my time there and was always prolific in his time at the club.
“He was highly thought of and has followed a very similar career path to myself.
“We played together at Grimsby Town together and we have always got on well and stayed in touch since.
“He is a good finisher, has good movement and is a quick player.
“The majority of his career he has played as a wide player but is very much a central striker in my opinion.”
Goalkeeper Tyrell Belford, meanwhile, says he is delighted to sign an 18-month deal at Liberty Way and compete with Christian Dibble for a starting place.
The 22-year-old stopper, who started his career with Coventry City and had a stint at Liverpool, said: “I am a Nuneaton boy and have been away with football since I was 15-years-old. That is a long time.
“I was at a stage in my career where I wanted to regroup. I wanted to continue to play full-time and importantly I wanted to play for a team – and a manager I have a lot of time for.
“Nuneaton tick all those boxes. It is a club I have grown up with really (dad Dale played for Boro in the 1980s) it is a club I have known about since I was a kid.
“To get a chance to be out there playing for them now. It is something I am excited about. I just can’t wait to get started now.”
“I know they are still not safe yet, but we will be.
“I’ve only trained with the guys once but I know from watching them the quality is there.
“They are good enough to get whatever points are needed, it will be a case of doing that and moving on from there.
“I wouldn’t have signed for 18-months if I wasn’t confident about that. I have committed my future here as I know we can have a strong finish this season and then kick on next year.
“This club can play higher in the leagues and I think with Tommy Wright leading us we will.
“I’ve known Tommy since he played under my dad at Tamworth. He is a genuine guy and one who knows so much about football.
“I had no doubts about coming here and playing under him.” That will be music to the ears of most in and around Nuneaton Town – but maybe not current number one Dibble.
Belford said: “I’ve had a chat with Christian and there is nothing but respect there.
“I know him from when he was at Bury with my brother Cameron. “They were keepers together up there and I know he has a lot of ability.
“That is why I have got to just concentrate on training and doing what I can to impress Tommy.
“We have a huge game coming up this weekend against Halifax, if I am involved I will be doing all I can to try and get us the three points.”