Ace Del leads a top trio to save Pitmen

By Matthew Luddington

MOVE: Nathan Delfouneso

STRUGGLING Hednesford Town have turned to former Premier League star Nathan Delfouneso to save them from back-to-back relegations.

The Pitmen are currently second bottom of thre Step 4 NPL West division having almost gone out of business last summer.

Delfouneso, 33, started his career at Aston Villa and later turned out for the likes of Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers, Swindon Town, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.

He also won 17 caps for England U21s and won the Golden Boot for England U19s at the 2009 European Championships.

Joining from Chorley, Delfouneso tweeted: “Hi Hednesford fans, glad to join, looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.”

But Delfouneso is not the only big-name player to join the Pitmen ranks this week with two more experienced performers also moving to Keys Park.

Willy striker Jake Jervis has also signed, from Brackley Town, having recently played in Turkey, Finland and India.

Jervis, 32, began his career at Birmingham City before going on to serve Ross County, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and AFC Wimbledon.

And completing the trio is centre-back Mike McGrath, who is back on sole playing duties having recently left a 13-month spell as player-manager of Bromsgrove Sporting in Southern League Premier Central.

The 38-year-old has played for a number of clubs including Kettering Town, Hereford and Evesham United, as well as a brief previous spell with the Pitmen.

On making the move, an excited McGrath said: “Speaking to the director of football and the owners, the club is very ambitious. There are some big plans for the future of this football club.

“Obviously the plan now is to stay up and going into next season it sounds really positive.”