Rangers face fight to keep captain

Stafford Rangers face a battle to keep hold of captain Nick Wellecomme with two rival Blue Square North clubs showing an interest in the striker.

The 13-goal top scorer has already held initial talks with Corby and Hinckley United, with the latter also on his trail last season.

Wellecomme decided to stay at Marston Road and once again when another unnamed club made an offer, going on to see out the season with his hometown club.

But, like the rest of the playing squad, the 25-year-old is not under contract and is free to move another club, leaving Rangers with a battle to hold onto their talisman.

Nonetheless, the skipper will not make any decision on his future anytime soon, instead heading away on a two week summer holiday to Egypt next week.

The Rugeley-based forward also reveals that boss Chris Brindley has expressed a wish to keep him at the club for next season, but that has far has negotiations have got.

He said: "Me and the gaffer did briefly chat and he wants me to continue next season, but I will looking to keep fit right up until pre-season and then make my decision.

"I won't be putting pen to paper before then, because I have had interest from Hinckley and Corby. It's only talks, they haven't even offered me anything yet.

"I am not shutting the door on Stafford Rangers, far from it. I am just keeping my options open."

Lingering doubts over Wellecomme's future first surfaced in April after a spat with a section of his own fans in a home game against Vauxhall Motors, leading to a walk out which saw him miss a trip to Solihull Moors two days later.

But the big forward returned for the next match and, as far as he is concerned, all is forgotten.

He added: "I came back to the club after that because I didn't want to let anyone down. Everything was fine after that, so hopefully that whole matter has been put to bed.

"It has on my behalf, and I hope the fans feel the same way."