Goodhead set to kick on for Rangers

Stafford Rangers defender Grant Goodhead has been tipped to kick on next season after being hailed as "a massive plus" for the team this year.

The 25-year-old was drafted into the squad in February after leaving Hednesford, originally earmarked as cover for first-choice pairing Craig McAughtrie and Manny Udoji.

But Goodhead got his chance to play when Udoji went down with a groin strain in March and hasn't been budged since, partnering McAughtrie at the back right through to last Saturday's final game of the season at Workington.

Manager Chris Brindley was so impressed with the form of his new centre-half that Udoji was allowed to leave the club for Bromley, with Goodhead now looking to carry the momentum on into his first full season into the Blue Square North.

It has been a fairytale rise for the much-travelled stopper, who started the season in the UniBond League Division One South with Market Drayton Town before following boss Simon Line to Hednesford for a short spell.

His future at Keys Park was left in limbo when Line left as chief, and Rangers assistant boss Darren Read believes the player deserves a lot of credit for turning his season around.

He said: "Grant was sitting on the bench at Hednesford after being a regular at Market Drayton, but has come in and done a fantastic job. He's been a massive plus for us, because you put him and Craig McAughtrie together and you have got two no nonsense centre-halves.

"Their defensive record speaks for itself since they have been playing together. They have been phenomenal and as a result we have been much harder to beat."