Wrens get their man as Nwadike signs
Veteran Stamford midfielder Emeka Nwadike had been coveted by Wrens’ joint boss Ian Robinson and his erstwhile partner Gary Sucharewicz since they arrived at Kirklington Road in early September.
Robinson, and Sucharewicz’s successor John Knapper, had played alongside the 36-year-old midfielder in the Alfreton Town side during the now Vanarama Conference Premier club’s rise up the non-League system, helping them reach and keep Conference North status.
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Hide AdCamberwell-born Nwadike is a former Wolves youngster, whose senior career had taken him via Kings Lynn, Ilkeston Town, Alfreton Town, Worcester City, AFC Telford United and Grantham Town before joining the Daniels last season.
And he is seen by the Wrens’ management team as just the man they need as the centrepiece of their jigsaw.
Robinson said: “It’s great to have ‘Macca’ on board.
“He and I go back many years, we’ve played together at a number of clubs over a five or six year period. He’s a good friend, which was a key factor in him agreeing to sign at a price we can afford, and I know what he will bring to the club.
“He’s done the job at a high level, at 36 he’s still got strong legs, and he will give us much-needed extra strength and experience in midfield, which is why I’ve wanted him here since day one.”
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Hide AdNwadike put pen to paper at the end of last week and is set to make his debut in this Saturday’s home fixture against newly promoted Tividale, but was unavailable for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at promotion-chasing Newcastle Town, who recorded their seventh successive win.
Also making their debuts that day were goalkeeper Jake Turner and midfielder/striker Henry Sibenge. It was a tough debut for Turner, handed earlier than expected start when Walsall loanee Liam Roberts, who was due to be making his final appearance before returning to the Bescot Stadium, was hit by illness.
Most Wrens fans who made the trip were convinced that Castle’s first two goals were offside, but video evidence seemed to show that both goals were good.
Rainworth will have defender Dean Freeman also available for the Tividale game after the completion of his two-match ban following his dismissal at Market Drayton in the FA Trophy, and will be looking to bounce back from two successive defeats at promotion-chasing hosts.
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Hide AdBut Christmas can’t come soon enough for the Kirklington Road outfit, when hotshot striker Alex Ford is set to return from an intensive study course and fellow-striker Grant Ryan should also be well on the way back from a broken foot during the home FA Trophy replay.