Striker Josh Ford is targeting a shot at the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title next season after agreeing terms to re-join Holbeach United.
Ford, who scored more than 50 goals for the Tigers in his first spell with the club between 2015 and 2017, is set to return to Carter’s Park after one season with Wisbech Town.
While with the Fenman, Ford played a key role in securing them a second-placed finish last term – which secured promotion.
Despite being something of a utility man for Gary Setchell’s side, the South Holland native still managed 18 goals as they missed out on the title to Yaxley on goal difference.
However, ex-King’s Lynn Town chief Setchell told Ford that he wasn’t part of his plans for next season. So, when Holbeach chief Seb Hayes expressed an interest, the hitman admitted it was an easy decision for him to make a return.
“I was open to staying with Wisbech,” admitted Ford, who has always retained a link to the Tigers as co-player boss of the Sunday side. “Obviously I wasn’t sure what to do, playing at a higher level is more demanding due to the travel.
“But I spoke to Setch and he was very open with me. He said he was looking to free up some money in his budget and that he intended to release me.
“Maybe I was too much of a team player last season – I ended up playing on the wing and at full-back quite a lot. To be fair, it was hard to make the striker position my own with Alex Beck and Michael Frew scoring so many goals.
“I really enjoyed going for the title, though. I really got that buzz of turning up and pushing every week to win something.
“In the end we came up just short, but I think that I’ll still have that buzz with Holbeach. Seb has been open about his desire to win the title and that fits in with what I want.
“I’ve got a UCL winner’s medal from my time with Spalding United, but I felt like a bit-part then and it doesn’t really mean all that much to me.
“I’ve got a lot of friends at Holbeach and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
Having spent last season as a utility player, Ford is bidding to return to his favoured role as a frontman next season.
While he’s always open to playing wherever the manager requires him to, former Moulton Harrox ace Ford has earned the reputation of one of South Holland’s most feared frontmen over the past decade.
He expects that his impending arrival will motivate the likes of Lewis Leckie and Will Bird, who enjoyed impressive seasons last time out.
And Ford also feels that he’s returning to a much different Holbeach side from the one he left behind 12 months ago, expecting them to be among the title hopefuls next term.
“I know how it is, new signings put a rocket up the existing players,” admitted Ford. “The Holbeach lads started the season really well but maybe found it a bit more difficult later on.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the lads and they’ve said that they create so many chances and that I’d score plenty in this team.
“Seb has told me that he’s signing me as a striker and that suits me.
“Obviously Holbeach were a rival last season and I could see that they’ve got a clear plan and a way of playing.
“When I left, things were changing and Seb had just come in. We’d been a bit of a mid-table side previously and things hadn’t been all that organised, so I thought I’d give Wisbech a go.
“It’s still early days and obviously players can’t sign forms for a while yet, but from what I understand – and if everybody keeps their word about staying – we’ll have a very strong side next year.
“I’d expect Newport Pagnell to be strong again, they’re open about wanting to get promoted. There is also talk about Boston Town throwing a bit of money at it and Pinchbeck United are coming up after a great season, so we’ll have to see what happens.”
Holbeach are hoping to reach agreements with two other players by the end of the week. They’ve also released Mitch Griffiths and George Zuerner, with the former joining up with Peterborough Sports.
- ChromaSport UCL Premier Division line-up for 2018/19 (provisional): Boston Town, Cogenhoe United, Daventry Town, Deeping Rangers, Desborough Town, Eynesbury Rovers, Harborough Town, Holbeach United, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester Nirvana, Newport Pagnell, ON Chenecks, Oadby Town, Peterborough NS, Pinchbeck United, Rothwell Corinthians, Rugby Town, Sleaford Town, Sleaford Town, Wellingborough Town, Whitworth.
