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Rushall Olympic leaves fans stunned by signing ex-Wolves, Stoke, Burnley, Southend player

Rushall Olympic leaves fans stunned on social media by signing an ex-Wolves, Stoke, Burnley, Southend player in this summer’s transfer window.

It’s that time of year where we can often see former Premier League and English Football League footballers find themselves at clubs in the non league pyramid.

The next to follow the likes of Ricardo Fuller is the former top flight player Michael Kightly, who has won promotion from the Championship three times in his career.

Rushall Olympic, who play in the seventh tier of English football, the Southern League Premier Division Central, said in a statement: “THE PICS have pulled off a major transfer coup as we count down to the start of the new season by agreeing a deal with Michael Kightly for the 2020/21 season.

“Still an extremely popular figure amongst the Wolves faithful after over 100 appearances for the club during which time he lit up Molineux with some sparkling displays and also graced the Premier League.

“His early career saw him turn out for his hometown team, Basildon United, and Southend United before joining Grays Athletic where his career really started to take off as he helped the unfashionable Essex outfit lift the FA Trophy and make their mark in non-League football’s top-flight.

“It sparked a battle for his signature, which was eventually won by Wolves and after a successful loan spell, he joined the club permanently on New Year’s Day 2007.

“Making a seamless step up, his performances and goals helped the club make the play-offs during that 2006/07 campaign and alerted such top level interest that Wolves handed him a new four-year deal.

“Whilst injury was to halt his progress, he quickly became a popular figure amongst the supporters and was part of the squad that achieved Premier League status.

“A loan spell at Watford came in October 2011 as he battled back from injury and upon his return to Molineux he went on to enjoy his longest run of Premier League football with some exciting displays.

“Moving on to Stoke City in readiness for the 2012/13 campaign, he then went on to Burnley whom he helped secure promotion into the top-flight during a loan spell before the move was made permanent.

“In recent years, the former England Under-21 International has returned to Southend United where he brought the curtain down on his professional career before agreeing to a new challenge with The Pics where he is sure to become a popular figure.

“This is a massive coup for the club,” said a delighted manager, Liam McDonald, who has worked hard along with Vice-Chairman, Nick Allen, to make the deal happen.

“Throughout all of the talks we’ve had, it’s always been very positive; he can see what we are trying to achieve here and wants to be part of it.

“He’s had a lot of offers, as you would expect, but he has chosen us and it is clear that he will be a big asset.

“He’s going to help in the development of our young players, particularly the attackers, and the lads are buzzing to have him here, especially the Wolves supporters amongst the group!

“This is the icing on the cake for us in pre-season. Things have gone well in terms of results, performances and the players that we have been able to bring in and this really does top that off nicely.

“I can’t wait to work closely with him and am even more excited for the new season to get underway now!”
We welcome Michael to The Pics Family.”

KIGHTLY’S CAREER:

Youth career
2000–2001 – Tottenham Hotspur
2002–2003 – Southend United

Senior career

2001–2002 – Basildon United
2003–2005 – Southend United – 13 games (0 goals)
2004–2005 → Farnborough Town (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2005–2007 – Grays Athletic – 53 games (24 goals)
2006–2007 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) – 5 games (2 goals)
2007–2012 – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 109 games (21 goals)
2011–2012 → Watford (loan) – 12 games (3 goals)
2012–2014 – Stoke City – 22 games (3 goals)
2013–2014 → Burnley (loan) – 36 games (5 goals)
2014–2017 – Burnley – 40 games (1 goal)
2017 → Burton Albion (loan) – 12 games (4 goals)
2017–2019 – Southend United – 60 games (7 goals)
2020– Rushall Olympic
Total – 373 games (70 goals)

As mentioned, Rushall Olympic leaves their fans stunned by signing the ex-Wolves, Stoke, Burnley, Southend player…

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