Departed Stafford Rangers striker Ben Mills has sent a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to his former club for providing him with the springboard to improve as a player after leaving for Alfreton.

The six-goal forward signed for the league rivals late last week after an official seven day approach had come and gone, in time to score on his debut for the Derbyshire club in a 1-1 draw at Corby on Saturday.

Alfreton put a tempting deal on the table for the 20-year-old, who has signed an 18-month deal at the Impact Arena after being on non-contract forms at Marston Road.

Reds manager Nicky Law wasn’t the only one interested either – a third Blue Square North rival in promoted Ilkeston also made a move.

Mills went from an untested prospect plucked from two levels below in the UniBond League Division One with Leek to a coveted hitman in just 17 games for the club, and admits it would not been possible without the chance given to him by Rangers.

He said: “I would really like to thank everyone at Stafford Rangers, the whole club have been really good to me. They gave me my chance, stuck by me as I settled in after signing in the summer and I will always be grateful for that.

“Some people might think I am a money grabber, but it’s a short career and these sort of opportunities might not come up again. If Alfreton go up I could be playing in the Blue Square Premier next year, so it’s an ambitious move for me.”

The young striker leaves his former club 13th in the table, with a five-point cushion from the relegation places. Last season it took until a game to spare to ensure safety, a struggle players and management at Marston Road are battling to avoid this term.

Mills believes that, even without him, Rangers and boss Chris Brindley will go on to remain in the Blue Square North.

He said: “They will stay up this season, I am sure of it, because there is too much quality at the club to go down. The manager there is working so hard with what he has got, he gets a lot of stick, but believe me he is doing a good job.

“If the squad can be kept together, they will pick up enough points with the players they have.”