Stourbridge fill Bellingham void

Stourbridge have signed Shifal striker Lyndon Dovey to fill the void left by the shock departure of the free scoring Mark Bellingham.

Dovey, 21, is based in Stourbridge and and had a spell at Hednesford last season. He will be looked upon to the line as the club prepare for life in the Southern Premier.

He has some mighty big boots to fill in Bellingham, who has not stopped scoring since joining the Glassboys in 2004.

He even smashed the club's scoring record in 2005/06, with a staggering 61 goals in all competitons.

Bellingham has now agreed terms with losing play-off finalists Leamington and manager Gary Hackett for one will be sad to see him go.

He said: "Mark's departure came as a bit of a shock to some people but not me, because we had been talking about the future for a while now.

"I would like to wish him well for the future because he was not just an excellent player for us but also a marvellous club man. However, it is now a new chapter for him and for us."

""Lyndon is a player we have been watching for a few years now. He is a guy with a lot of potential and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"His major attributes are that he's very athletic and good in the air. If he can live up to his ability he is sure to be succesful."

Hackett is having better luck in keeping the rest of his promoted squad at the War Memorial Ground for next season.

Already under new deals are Lewis Solly, Craig Slater, Ross Collins, Damian Witcombe, Nathan Bennett, Gavin Whinsper, James Dyson and striker Ryan Broadhurst.

Hackett also confirmed negotiations to keep midfielder Leon Broadhurst at the club are coming along well.