| Airbus in late bid to land Stafford striker |
| Thursday 26 January 2012 |
 AIRBUS UK Broughton are hoping to prise striker Neville Thompson away from Stafford Rangers before the transfer window closes. The Wingmakers have already put in seven-days' notice of approach and will have permission to speak to the player on Sunday, only 48 hours before the deadline for signing new players. In the meantime, Thompson is set to start in Saturday’s Evo Stik Premier League at Chorley, after scoring three goals in his last two games. The 25-year-old, who appeared in the Welsh Premier during a two-year spell at Caersws, is a top target for new Airbus manager Andy Preece after his move from Northwich. But Rangers boss Greg Clowes, who lost Sean Kinsella and Chris Budrys to Northwich when Preece was in charge, will stand in the player’s way. "I have had a good chat with Neville and he’s given me the impression that he’s happy at Stafford Rangers," Clowes said. "The least I would expect is that he sees the season out here, we have been very good to him and vice versa. "I would be extremely disappointed to lose him and we will do all that we can to keep him at the club. "But I don’t think we can persuade him to stay, he’s got to want to do it." Thompson, who lives in Stoke, is on non-contract forms with Rangers and will likely be offered a contract by Airbus to leave. A former Shrewsbury Town youth, Thompson joined Caersws on his release from the Gay Meadow in 2004 and scored nine goals from 22 (+9) appearances for the Bluebirds until departing in 2007. He has since played for Newcastle Town and joined Stafford last July. Photo: Stafford Rangers celebrate a goal with Thompson (right). |