FA Trophy

Non-League Paper Programme: David Nugent enjoying return to football with Anstey Nomads

Serial winner David Nugent enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career at the likes of Bury, Preston North End, Portsmouth, Burnley, Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Tranmere Rovers.

by
Jon Couch
10 December 2025

David Nugent in action for Leicester City

The striker lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and won the Championship with Leicester in 2013-14.

He also represented England, scoring in his solitary Three Lions appearance in a 3-0 win over Andorra.

But after more than four years “happily retired” and focused on being a dad, Nugent is back in football with Anstey Nomads after accepting an invite to dovetail his work towards a UEFA B licence with player-coach duties at Cropston Road.

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Buzz

And, thus far, it has been the perfect partnership so far.

Not only is player-coach Nugent enjoying a new lease of life, but the Step 4 Nomads have picked up 25 points from a possible 30 in NPL Midlands since his arrival.

They include the scalps of higher-ranked Stratford Town and Bedford Town in a club-record FA Trophy run that has teed up this afternoon’s third round trip to National League Hartlepool United.

“[The buzz] is coming back,” Nugent told The NLP last week.

“When I retired, I just wanted to stay away from football as much as possible. I wasn’t playing how I wanted to and it ended quite badly really.

“I was a striker, I wanted to score goals and run in on the back of defenders and I couldn’t do it anymore. I would break down with little niggly injuries. I was 36 and started to wonder whether I needed it.

“Towards the end I went on loan at Tranmere in League Two and didn’t really play – that was time up for me.

“Like anyone, I wanted it to end happily but it didn’t turn out that way so I left football behind thinking I would never get back into it but Conrad (Logan, Anstey manager) and all the lads here have been different class.

“We play football, we don’t just lump it forward, and that is credit to Conrad and players, so the love for the game is starting to come back and I am enjoying watching rather than playing.”

FA Trophy

Nugent’s Nomads are among a number of lower-ranked clubs looking to cause a major Trophy upset in a fascinating array of ties this afternoon.

Step 4 Clitheroe host star-studded York City, while Southern League Premier Central high-flyers Harborough Town, no strangers to producing the odd cup shock over the last couple of seasons, welcome Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United to Bowden Park.

Hanwell Town manager Chris Moore heads back to his former club Dagenham & Redbridge, while Step 4 pair Leatherhead and Harrow Borough will be sensing a golden opportunity as they lock horns at Fetcham Grove for a place in the last 32.

National League leaders Rochdale go to Step 2 strugglers Leamington, while holders Aldershot Town make the short trip down the M3 to top-flight rivals Eastleigh.

And the trio flying the flag for Non-League are all in action also; Macclesfield go to National League North rivals South Shields, Boreham Wood host Brackley Town and Weston-super-Mare face a tough trip to take on Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers.

FA Vase

In the Isuzu FA Vase, holders Whitstable Town are safely through to the fourth round on January 17 after a 3-0 win over Eastbourne United last Saturday.

There, the Oystermen make the trip to Harpenden Town, who were 3-2 victors over Haringey Borough.

Vase debutants Lymore Gardens continued their incredible run with a 2-0 victory over fellow Step 6 side Halesworth Town.

Next up for the Eastern Counties League side is a trip to Reading City, themselves enjoying a best ever run in the competition.

Another Step 6 side, Nelson, were rewarded for their fine 3-0 away win at Ramsbottom United with a tough trip to West Didsbury & Chorlton, while Droylsden will host Sherwood Colliery and Bilston Town take on Gresley Rovers.

Seven ties fell victim to the weather last Saturday so try again this afternoon.

They are: Winsford United v Prestwich Heys; Gornal Athletic v Grantham Town, Tunbridge Wells v Windsor & Eton, Bovey Tracey v Downton, Slimbridge v Amesbury Town, Buckland Athletic v Barnstaple Town, Hallen v Hamworthy Recreation.