ARCHER HITS THE BULLSEYE
JORDAN ARCHER says NonLeague has set him up for life in the Football League.
The 24-year-old striker has joined League Two side Bury from Chester on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Just a few years ago Archer was playing for Tipton Town followed by spells at Tividale, Redditch and Bedworth, where he scored 19 goals despite his team suffering relegation.
He scored 22 goals in 51 appearances for Stourbridge, where he started last season before quitting his job in a bank to play full-time in the National League for Chester.
Despite the Blues’ relegation, Archer scored four goals in 12 starts and has had scouts flocking to watch him in action. National League new boys Chesterfield were also interested but Archer will fulfil his League dream with Ryan Lowe’s Shakers.
Archer thanked Chester for giving him the platform at Step 1 and says learning his trade in the lower levels is the determining factor behind his rise.
“I’ve played low down in Non-League and worked my way up,” Archer told The NLP. “When you see the rewards like this it only makes you want to keep working hard and see where it can take you. “I’ve always believed in myself. When you score goals and teams come in for you it makes you want to find out how far you can go. Hopefully I can do the same at Bury as well.”
Archer, who played for Chester against Liverpool last weekend and will play against the Reds this preseason for Bury, couldn’t wait to meet up with his new team-mates as soon as the deal had been signed.
“The facilities are top class – it’s at Man City’s old training ground so you can imagine what that’s like” Archer said. “Then working with the gaffer who was a striker himself is great. I can’t wait to learn from him.
“It’s a bit different to a cold night in Tipton! I wouldn’t change coming through NonLeague for the world.
“Meeting the people you do, going through some of the times you have to go through, I wouldn’t change any of it. I’m just grateful to be where I am now and I’m going to keep working hard.”
Meanwhile, Bury have also signed striker Gold Omotayo. The 24-year-old Swiss-born Nigerian shone for Whitehawk last season.