Wilson (19), has been snapped up by former Wolves and England striker Steve Bull, who is Stafford's boss, after impressing in pre-season training and in their first pre-season friendly.

The defender-cum-midfielder, who was one of Town's best players last season, joins a team who were relegated from the Blue Square Premier last term.

Wilson will now be in line to face The Yellows with his new club on October 21, before a return to Watnall Road on January 27.

It was always a matter of when, not if, Wilson would commit to a future away from Watnall Road, ever since he had a trial at Coca Cola League Two side Port Vale in April.

But Wilson admitted he was "disappointed" with the terms offered to him by Town, which amounted to £50 less per week than last season.

He told the Dispatch: "I didn't expect to be offered lower terms, especially after having a trial at Port Vale. I thought I would get a bit of a raise.

"I am living alone in Nottingham and football is my main way of making money at the moment. I couldn't live on the money Hucknall were offering. It would not have been worth it.

"Stafford and Steve Bull have been great and I am looking forward to playing there and progressing."

Wilson was still full of praise for Town, the fans and the people he has worked and played alongside.

"I loved it at Hucknall," he said, "The chairman Brian Holmes and the lads were quality. And the fans were great.

"I was disappointed that we got relegated and manager David Lloyd leaving was harsh. He did not deserve to go but that is football for you."

Wilson was also offered a trial at another professional club, Macclesfield Town, last month, but revealed that he didn't go.

"I was due to go to Macclesfield to try out," he said. "But then Stafford came in and I would have missed out.

"When I spent time at Port Vale, they advised me to play as much football as possible to have a chance of a future in the game. I doubt I would have got regular first-team football at Macclesfield and I could have slipped off the radar."

Formerly on the books of Notts County, Wilson was brought to Watnall Road by ex-Yellows boss Andy Legg after a short and fruitless spell at Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough.

Under Lloyd, Wilson excelled in a central midfield role and made more appearances than any other Town player last season (40, plus three as substitute), scoring three goals.