Ex-Blues hitman Dele Adebola seals shock move to non-league Rushall
He's played for Birmingham, Bradford and Burnley and bagged 168 goals.
But now striker Dele Adebola, 38, has signed for Rushall in a huge coup for the Pics and is set to make his debut at home tomorrow against Stalybridge Celtic.
The deal is a huge boost for Rushall, who open their Evo-Stik Premier campaign tomorrow at home to newly-promoted Skelmersdale United.
"It is a massive coup for the football club," said Rushall Olympic boss Neil Kitching. "He has only just finished playing professionally this summer.
"It promotes non-league and shows how far Rushall have come."
Adebola, now 38, has played for a number of clubs including the likes of Notts County, Birmingham City, Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City, Bradford City and Burnley.
During his career he has made more than 500 appearances, scoring 168 goals.
Adebola has already played a couple of pre-season friendlies for Rushall and is now looking forward to getting the season under way
Also joining the club, on loan from Skrill Premier Tamworth, is 21-year-old central defender Tom Eckersley.
He progressed through the academy at Bolton Wanderers and has recently had spells at Accrington Stanley, Stockport County and Barrow.
Mitchell Tolley and Jimmy Turner are suspended while Ahmed Obeng is out with an ankle injury.
Manager Rob Smith admits his promoted Hednesford side will be stepping into the unknown when they return to the sixth tier of English football tomorrow.
The Pitmen will kick off their Skrill North campaign at Stalybridge Celtic with the manager admitting they do not know for sure what the division has in store.
"We might be promoted or we might be struggling at the other end – it's as unknown as that," said Smith.
"I am fairly confident that the side is good enough to keep us in the league, but we won't be able to gauge exactly how strong we are until we have played a couple of games.
"We don't need to feel any pressure at all. We are the new-boys in the league so we will just go and enjoy it and see where that takes us."
Smith is sweating on the availability of summer signing Wayne Riley. The free-scoring midfielder is awaiting international clearance from the Welsh FA after joining from Airbus UK.
But the Pitmen otherwise have a fully fit squad meaning the rest of Smith's summer recruits could figure.
They have signed striker Robbie Thompson-Brown, who was previously on the books of Stratford Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Nuneaton Town, former Marine midfielder Nick Rogan, ex-Walsall midfield man Kris Taylor, who was on loan from AFC Telford last season, and striker Charlie Ntamark, a graduate of the youth team.
Smith said: "It's a tough start for us because Stalybridge are a good, young, footballing side. I believe they are the only full-time squad in the division."
