Express & Star

Josh Gordon: I'll always remember my time at Stafford Rangers

Josh Gordon says he will ‘always remember’ his time at Stafford Rangers after completing his dream move to Premier League champions Leicester City.

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Josh Gordon at Stafford Rangers

The 22-year old striker had become a popular figure at Marston Road, netting 11 time in 18 games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. It was this same ferocious goal-getting ability that saw the reigning Premier League champions come knocking to sign the striker.

Speaking after completing his move from Neil Kitching’s side, Gordon described how it felt to get the transfer over the line but was keen to reflect on his time in Stafford: “It’s fantastic that it has finally been done.

“At Stafford, I felt like I had been there for a very long time even though it was only five or six months,” he said. “I had some great times there – such as the derby game against Hednesford in the FA Trophy. That was really good – especially scoring against them. It was nice to have a moment like that in front of a big crowd in a big rivalry... I will always remember having moments like that.”

Gordon follows fellow Staffordshire players Cohen Bramall, who left Hednesford for Arsenal, and Harry Flowers, who swapped Brocton for Burnley, in making the leap from non-league to the Premier League clubs this year.

The new Leicester signing feels that there is enough of a talent pool there to benefit more professional sides: “There is lots of talent in non-league football.

“I think it’s a great place for the big clubs to look at bringing different players in from.”

After being watched by Derby County and impressing on trial in March with Leicester, the transfer finally came about after a few weeks of waiting.

The move to the reigning Premier League title holders feels like it will be the best place for him to develop according to Gordon, and there is the chance to learn alongside a man who knows all about progressing from non-league to superstardom in Jamie Vardy.

“Obviously with him at the club that will help me so much.

“When you are at the training ground you are obviously focused on training but he did say a few things to me. Andy King was really helpful in training too.

“I am at the right club for my progression.”

From being a prolific goalscorer in the lower leagues of English football to signing for Leicester City in a permanent deal, Gordon’s move has an almost-eerie resemblance to the same career path that England striker Vardy took to the top with the same club.

The centre forward scored freely for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town at non-league level before sealing a deal to move to Leicester in 2012. Just a few years later, he was breaking goal-scoring records in the Premier League as his side shocked the world to win the title last season.

If Josh Gordon can follow suit, he may well be the next name that is hot on the lips of Premier League fans around the globe.