Ilkeston Town stun fans by signing a former Championship player ready for the club’s first season in the 7th tier since re-forming.
Football League striker Chris O’Grady has joined the Robins while Ben O’Hanlon also comes into the newly promoted side.
Ilkeston won the Northern Premier League – Midlands Division, earning 87 points from 38 games played for the 2021/22 season.
They will partake in eight pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2022/23 campaign starting off with a visit from Carlton Town, giving fans plenty of time to watch the new signing sin action.
THE SCHEDULE SO FAR
Saturday 2nd July – 12:00 – New Manor Ground – v Carlton Town
Saturday 9th July – 15:00 – New Manor Ground – v Melton Town
Wednesday 13th July – 19:30 – The Town Ground – v Heanor Town
Saturday 16th July – 15:00 – The Stag Ground – v Kimberley MWFC
Wednesday 20th July – 19:30 – New Manor Ground – v Shepshed Dynamo
Saturday 23rd July – 15:00 – Road Stadium – Hinckley LRFC
Tuesday 26th July – 19:30 – TBC – v NLN Opposition (Opponents TBC)
Saturday 30th July – 15:00 – New Manor Ground – v Belper Town
✍️ Former Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers forward Chris O’Grady joins the Robins.
The 36-year-old centre forward adds a wealth of experience to Martin Carruthers’ squad.
🤩Welcome to the NMG Chris👊
🔴⚪⚫#OneTownOneClub pic.twitter.com/zp3erCjaX3
— Ilkeston Town FC (@ilkestontown_fc) May 24, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
O’Grady brings a wealth of experience to Martin Carruthers’ squad, having over 500 professional appearances and 100 goals to his name.
The 36-year-old started his career with the Nottingham Forest youth setup before joining Leicester City.
He has had spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton & Hove Albion, a loan back to Nottingham Forest and most recently was at Bolton Wanderers in League One.
Carruthers said: “Chris is an excellent addition to our squad and brings with him a wealth of experience.
“He is a big powerful unit and super fit, he will certainly be of huge benefit to our current strikers who will all be able to learn and develop from Chris this season.
“He will give us different attacking options and I’m sure will bring plenty of goals to the team this season.
“This is a real coup for the club.”
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
Nottingham Forest
2000–2003 – Leicester City
Senior career
2003–2007 – Leicester City – 24 games (1 goal)
2004–2005 → Notts County (loan) – 9 games (0 goals)
2005–2006 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) – 22 games (4 goals)
2007–2008 – Rotherham United – 51 games (13 goals)
2008–2010 – Oldham Athletic – 13 games (0 goals)
2008 → Bury (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2009 → Bradford City (loan) – 2 games (0 goals)
2009 → Stockport County (loan) – 18 games (2 goals)
2009–2010 → Rochdale (loan) – 24 games (15 goals)
2010–2011 – Rochdale – 69 games (19 goals)
2011–2013 – Sheffield Wednesday – 53 games (9 goals)
2013 → Barnsley (loan) – 16 games (6 goals)
2013–2014 – Barnsley – 40 games (15 goals)
2014–2017 – Brighton & Hove Albion – 31 games (1 goal)
2014 → Sheffield United (loan) – 4 games (1 goal)
2015–2016 → Nottingham Forest (loan) – 21 games (2 goals)
2016–2017 → Burton Albion (loan) – 26 games (1 goal)
2017–2018 – Chesterfield – 35 games (2 goals)
2018–2019 – Oldham Athletic – 38 games (7 goals)
2019–2020 – Bolton Wanderers – 20 games (2 goals)
2022– – Ilkeston Town
CLUB STATEMENT:
We are delighted to announce that 26-year-old left back Ben O’Hanlon has joined the Robins.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Darlington and Harrogate Town defender joins Martin Carruthers’ side as we move into the Southern Premier League Central for the 2022/23 season.
Manager Martin Carruthers said the following about the former England U19s international
“Ben comes highly recommended by a number of people and is another quality defender added to the squad.
“He has a sweet left foot and is an attack-minded full back who is very comfortable on the ball.
“I’m sure he will suit our style of play and that the fans will be very happy with this signing.”
Welcome to the New Manor Ground Ben.
🗣️ “Ben comes highly recommended by a number of people, I’m sure the fans will be very happy with this signing.” – Martin Carruthers’ on the signing of Ben O’Hanlon.
🔴⚪️⚫️ #OneTownOneClub pic.twitter.com/QEhlU9oH7p
— Ilkeston Town FC (@ilkestontown_fc) May 23, 2022
As mentioned, Ilkeston managed to stun some fans by signing a former Championship player, others had something else to say about it…
@ForeverOUFC: Quality signing for that level, go smash it lad
@gazza0303: My next door neighbour. Only 5 houses on the street and I’m still the worst baller on the road.
@huckle_craig40: What a statement that is! @ilkestontown_fc getting business done early and building a competitve squad in the process. #onetownoneclub
@JackMaddo16: Legend of the game, still in his prime
@BetterCallJoel: What a signing
@AfcanDan2022: Why did nobody tell me the Ilkeston kit had so much sauce? That is beautiful
@MaxWhittaker5: Best striker to play at the Pirelli
@ilsongal71: Nice one ilkeston decent signing
@trueblu83: Finally found his level then one of the worst strikers I’ve ever seen at chesterfield
@TomDale66004641: Welcome Chris 👍
@bennyboy_harbey: Mental
@willrowley_: Serious baller at 6 aside
@cfcviews1: Spireites player of the year 2017-18 😂. Got to feel for the lad never collecting the award after being the runaway winner!
@NFFCRED:
What a signing 👏
Bang goals in at that level!
@Kaseymosley15: What a signing!!!! Give us the title now 🤣
You must be logged in to post a comment Login