Nolan in mood to take his chance

Thursday 25th June 2009, 2:32PM BST

bucks-logo3New AFC Telford United striker Matt Nolan cannot wait for the new season to start – but admits he has no guarantee of a place in the team.

The 27-year-old hitman arrives at the New Bucks Head from Corby, having previously established a reputation as a prolific non-League forward at King’s Lynn.

His signing gives manager Rob smith an embarrassment of riches up front, with last season’s 21-goal top scorer Danny Carey-Bertram still there alongside 20-goal Andy Brown.

With Phil Trainer, who scored six goals in a late season loan spell, also capable of playing up front, it means Telford certainly have options in the attacking department.

But Nolan relishes the challenge, revealing: “Even at Corby there were four of us vying for places, and it was the same before that when I was at King’s Lynn.

“I think it’s a good thing to have competition for places. There’s three or four strikers at Telford who are going to be trying to get into the team and I think that’s a good thing.

“I will have to be at the top of my game if I am going to be able to hold down a place and I will be working hard to do that.

“I know a little bit about Andy Brown from having played against him. I’ve never played against Danny, but I know his name and I know he’s always been a good goalscorer.”

Nolan spent much of last season out due to a persistent ankle injury, ironically picking up the problem during Corby’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Telford.

“I feel very lucky to get this move and I just want to get started now,” he said.

“I’ve played at this level in the south for St Albans and Cambridge City and I also had a few games on loan at Kettering.

“I know I can do a good job,” he added.

By CHRIS HUDSON