BORO BOSS IS ‘STIL’ ON THE HUNT!
NUNEATON have failed in their attempt to bring Stiliyan Petrov to the club – and have instead turned their attentions to Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Boro boss Kevin Wilson wanted the former Aston Villa and Celtic legend in a playercoach capacity at the National League North club. The 37-year-old still enjoys playing, and currently turns out for Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over 35s Sunday League. But the Bulgarian, who bravely battled back from Leukemia and came close to earning a year-long contract at Villa Park in the summer, will remain coaching the Championship club’s kids.
Inspiration
Wilson said: “It’s a shame it’s not happening, I think this would have been good for us and good for him as well.
“We put the offer to Stiliyan and his agent has come back to us and said on this occasion it won’t be happening.
“It’s a pity – you can’t fail to be inspired by his story. It would have been nice to have him around the place, but we respect his decision.”
Wilson loves a veteran. After losing striker Marlon Harewood in the summer, who decided to stop playing to focus on his car-remodeling business, he now wants another old-timer.
Nuneaton are talking to Taylor-Fletcher, 35, who has been without a club since leaving Tranmere Rovers in May.
“We’re in conversation,” Wilson revealed. “It’s got to be right for the club, our dressing room and the player as well.
“We wanted to keep Marlon, it’s such a shame we lost him to his business commitments. He was fantastic for me – losing a player with such experience was a blow. Our most senior player is 30 years old, we’re a young side but maybe we need a bit of ‘been-there-and-done-it’.
“You never know what’s around the corner, Marlon has stopped playing but he might start to miss it – if he does I’m sure he will pick up the phone.”
Building
Nuneaton, according to their manager, who arrived at Liberty Way after not having his contract renewed at Ilkeston, had started the season “a bit slowly”.
But their form in September, picking up 11 points from six matches, has the club on the climb.
“There really are no easy games in the National League North, but we’ve made a bit of progress after what was quite a difficult August,” added Wilson.
“One or two players were a bit ring-rusty to start with, some were coming back from injury, but September we stepped it up a bit in the league at least.
“Everyone knows about the size of the clubs in this league, most with a much bigger budget than our own. Every week is a new challenge and we go into each game knowing how hard it is going to be.
“But I have got belief in the players and in what we are trying to do.”