Martyn Waghorn links up with former team-mate David Nugent at Anstey Nomads

Just less than a year after announcing his retirement from the game, Martyn Waghorn has dusted off his striking boots to join his former Leicester City and Derby County team-mate David Nugent at Step 4 side Anstey Nomads.

The Northern Premier League Midlands Division side brought in Nugent earlier this season as a player-coach in a move that, the former FA Cup winner told the NLP earlier this month, has reignited his love for the game after more than four years away.

Since his arrival, Anstey have surged in form, firmly in the play-off hunt and enjoying a club-record run in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

In a boost to the club’s promotion aspirations, they can now call upon another EFL veteran this weekend in Waghorn.

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Delighted

The 35-year-old last plied his trade for Northampton Town before calling it quits on a 17-year career with 527 appearances and 135 goals.

In a statement on X, the Nomads announced: “Anstey Nomads are delighted to announce the signing of Martyn Waghorn.

“Waghorn will be available for Saturday’s home fixture vs Bourne Town on Saturday 3rd of January. “Come and see him and the boys in action at Cropston Road!”

Waghorn, a former Premier League forward, made six top-flight appearances for Sunderland at the start of his senior career but enjoyed his most productive spells further down the pyramid.

Top scorer

He also spent two seasons in Scotland with Rangers between 2015 and 2017, playing his part in the squad that secured promotion back to the Scottish Premiership and ended the club’s four-year absence from the top flight.

During the 2015/16 campaign, he finished as the Scottish Championship’s top scorer with 20 goals and was voted the club’s Players’ Player of the Year.

Waghorn will also be available for Nomads’ clash with FC Halifax Town a week later, as he will look to help continue the club’s epic run in the FA Trophy.

READ MORE: FA Trophy preview: David Nugent’s love for Anstey Nomads