Boss Rob Smith has completed a cloak-and-dagger transfer to bring prolific striker Mark Danks to AFC Telford United.

The former Wolves trainee is available after leaving financially-struggling BGB Southern League premier division side Halesowen, for whom he had scored 16 goals this season.

Smith has slipped under the radar to sign him in time for this afternoon’s crunch Blue Square North clash with leaders Tamworth.

Danks, who turns 25 tomorrow, has signed a contract until the end of the season and was expected to go straight into the starting line-up to face The Lambs.

He arrives with a decent pedigree at non-League level, having won the FA Trophy at Hednesford and gone on to rack up dozens of appearances with the likes of Forest Green and Worcester City.

Three appearances in the Championship for Bradford while still a teenager still represent the high-point of his career, but Smith believes his best is yet to come.

“He’s been prolific wherever he’s been and it was too good an opportunity to turn down,” said Smith.

“When I found out he’d got his release I got in quickly – there’s been a hell of a lot of interest and I think he’s had to turn his phone off!

Character

“He’s grown up over the last few years. He’s a real character and he’s another one the fans will take to.”

Danks will not be available for Telford’s FA Trophy quarter-final with Southport, having scored a hat-trick in Halesowen’s 4-4 draw with Durham City in the first qualifying round.

But he is free to feature in the Setanta Shield, and will travel with the Bucks for their area final at Barrow on Tuesday evening.

He joins a striking complement made up of leading scorer Terry Fearns, 15-goal Andy Brown and Danny Carey-Bertram, as well as the fit-again Matty Lewis.

“We’re not short of options when they’re all fit,” added Smith.

“But when does that ever happen?”

By Chris Hudson