Wellecomme will lead by example
Stafford striker Nick Wellecomme has vowed to let his football do the talking this season as he eyes leading the Rangers line.
The 25-year-old returns to pre-season training this week looking upon 2009/10 as a clean slate, after a troubled campaign last term.
He missed four months serving half of a eight-month jail term for affray, after an incident outside a kebab shop.
When he returned last December, the club were facing a relegation fight, which the player grew into as the club escaped and then reached the Staffordshire Senior Cup final.
But tragedy was to strike just hours before the game, when his father Steve died in a road crash.
Heroically, Wellecomme played on and scored - only to miss the penalty which handed Kidsgrove the trophy.
Few will experience the range of emotions that the Rugeley-born forward went through in 2008/09, but now the player just wants to go about his business quietly.
Confirmed as a Rangers player for next season, that means leading by example in attack.
He said: "I am really looking forward to it, I just want to get my head down this year and concentrate on my football - with no distractions off the field.
"It was hard last season, a lot happened off the pitch which is well documented. When I came back, I just dove straight back into football and it took me a while to find my feet again.
"In the end, I went away for a few days to get my head together. It did the trick and I came back a different player. I was really getting into it at the end of last season. I didn't want it to end.
"Hopefully, I can take some of that into this season."
Wellecomme agreeing to remain at Marston Road was among the first moves made by manager Chris Brindley, which is expected to be firmed up further in the coming days as the slog of pre-season begins.
The striker insists he was never looking for a move elsewhere.
He said: "I always wanted to stay, no-one came in for me and I didn't really look anywhere else. It was always my intention to play here next season.
"If the manager is looking for me to lead the line this season, that's fine by me. But it's time to let the football do the talking.
"Last season is gone now."
