Former Premier League player surprises with transfer to 8th tier club

Former Premier League player Jack Colback surprises with the transfer to 8th tier club Anstey Nomads, who already have a few familiar faces.

David McIntyre tweeted: “Jack Colback’s family based in East Mids from his time at Forest. A reason I didn’t think #QPR signing him was a great idea TBH and why options limited after he left. He commuted, having even done so to Newcastle. Just to give some context re surprise at him joining Anstey.”

They currently sit 4th in the Northern Premier League – Midlands Division, with 51 points form 26 games played, with some games in hand.

Anstey finished 3rd in the NPL Midlands Division with 80 points from 40 games played, but went on to lose to eventually playoff winners Worcester City in the semi finals.

Our new signing ✍️ 👀 #UpTheNomads pic.twitter.com/ehZisXRNLR

— Anstey Nomads (@TheNomadsFc) February 12, 2026

Welcome to Jack Colback 🤝#UpTheNomads pic.twitter.com/ZnuLU6jm9k

— Anstey Nomads (@TheNomadsFc) February 12, 2026

COLBACK’S CAREER:

Youth career
1999–2008 – Sunderland

Senior career
2008–2014 – Sunderland – 135 games (5 goals)
2009–2011 → Ipswich Town (loan) – 55 games (5 goals)
2014–2020 – Newcastle United – 102 games (5 goals)
2018–2019 → Nottingham Forest (loan) – 55 games (4 goals)
2020–2023 – Nottingham Forest – 79 games (4 goals)
2023–2025 – Queens Park Rangers – 55 games (4 goals)
2026– Anstey Nomads

International career
2009 – England U20 – 1 game (0 goals)

Honours

Sunderland
Football League Cup runner-up: 2013–14

Newcastle United
EFL Championship: 2016–17

Nottingham Forest
EFL Championship play-offs: 2022

Individual
Ipswich Town Players’ Player of the Year: 2009–10
Ipswich Town Goal of the Season: 2009–10
Nottingham Forest Goal of the Season: 2021–22

Here’s how fans reacted after the former Premier League player surprises with a transfer to an 8th tier club…

@richscottmedia: Having already got David Nugent and Martyn Waghorn on their books, Anstey have now signed Jack Colback.

@nickmellor35: Brilliant footballer, I hope he does well for you.

@ErfinderRotwang: You’ve got an absolute gem there.

@philobedo82: Another gimmick signing? Will he actually play?

@shane_dean88: Only 4 years ago he was getting promoted to the Premier League. Gotta say, top top signing at Northern Prem.

@JoshuaMansell3: Anstey Nomads building a side like its career mode on FIFA, with unlimited budget

@MattDavies_FF: Perfectly normal budget for a non league club #nffc 🤯

@RickRickyboy58: Hope he stays longer than Waghorn

@bertnffc: What a signing, proper legend 🙌

@puffpuff65: Blimey that’s a great signing

@bigdaz_rigley: Just wants to pay the bills hats off to the guy from a Notts fan.

@ScottPCarlton: Good luck to Jack Colback. Part of the promotion winning team at Forest. Forever a hero in my book. That goal at against West Brom too 👌🏻 🔥

@Jimbokav1971: Bloomin hell. This is a fair bit better than I was expecting. He was playing in the Championship last season. 😲

@QPRReport: Truly good luck to Former-#QPR Jack Colback, signing for Anstey Nomads @TheNomadsFc (Actually given that his #QPR departure was “up in the air’; surprised Colback didn’t get signed sooner and by a club in @SkyBetChamp or elsewhere in @EFL)

@Willm4445: My god that’s one hell of a signing. Shame it wasn’t for Carlton.

@ChrisLCFC1884: Anstey Nomads moving better than Leicester these days

@growupdan: I named my Epic account JackColback back when he played for us and I’ve been slightly worried since that he could have ended up at Derby, Sheffield United, or worse still, Leicester. With this moved he’s ended that anxiety. Thanks Jack x

Nick Jordan: Great stuff. I’m going to stop wasting my time watching that shower of tripe down the KP and come to the nomads!

Deano Reddog: Great player for Forest. Good luck ginger pirlo 😎👍

Ian Marsden: Good luck to nomads but kinda sad this guy signing for level so far below his peak level

Joe Hallam: Loved him at forest one of a great team that got us promoted scored some wonder goals for us.

John Reg Hart: Roberto Colback, that goal never forget that one.

Guy Cooper: Class act at Forest!

Chris Drury: 🎶 Hard to be believe it’s not scholes………It’s Colback, you noooooo 🎶

Daniel Heathcote: Was a gem for forest, really likable player and still good enough for league 2

Phil Kirchin: Brilliant at Forest

Jonny Hall-Say: That’s some signing at that level. Good luck to him.

Luke Rimmer: Wish he came hednesford lol…fair play guys cracking player surprised he ain’t stayed in football league

Andrew Dixon: What a signing , was fantastic for forest

Scott Carlton: It’s been a good few years since I have been to Anstey, was back in the EMCL days with Radcliffe Olympic. Will have to get down to watch a game!

Rhydell Poole: You have better recruitment than Leicester City!

Colin Noon: Up the Nomads

Paul Mckue: l know he is getting on a bit now but that is some signing, l liked him at Newcastle. Good luck Jack.

Shaun Lewis: Turning into that Sunday league side signing ex pros! 👀