Moving from Poole to Swindon is something more akin to the sport of Speedway. However, it appears that prolific Poole Town (of the Wessex Premier League) striker Charlie Austin is edging nearer to fulfilling his Football League dream with Swindon Town.
According to Danny Wilson it’s down to Town chairman Andrew Fitton and his counterpart to finalise a settlement that will see the Dolphins lose their forward who scored five in one game last Saturday.
So as we anticipate the arrival of Charlie Austin here’s a look at some of the more recent purchases we’ve made from the Non-Leagues.
Mark Marshall: It could be argued that Marshall’s arrival from Eastleigh was a panic buy made by Maurice Malpas. The winger has bags of pace but has struggled to cement a first team place. He is currently on loan at Hereford United.
Chris Blackburn: The defender had just clinched promotion to the FL via the Play-Offs with Morecambe when he decided to join Paul Sturrock’s Swindon. Blackburn never looked as composed as he did in the Blue Square Premier and left after one season to League Two outfit Aldershot Town.
Kaid Mohamed: Sturrock shrugged of interest from Wrexham to sign Mohamed from the Welsh semi-professional club Carmarthen Town. The Welshman never performed well and dropped back into Non-League within a year. He now plays for Bath City.
Folawiyo Onibuje: The lanky striker joined Dennis Wise’s revolution by signing from Cambridge United. Fola was a regular fixture during Wise’s brief tenure but was shipped out quick sharp when Paul Sturrock arrived!
Onibuje now plays for Woking but since leaving the County Ground in 2007 he has played for Wycombe Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town, St Albans City, Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley and Weymouth!
Phil Smith: Although not perfect, Smith has been one of our better aquisitions from Non-League. Smith was signed from Crawley Town by Dennis Wise to cover for Peter Brezovan. The two goalkeepers spent two years fighting for the number one jersey, a battle Smith eventually won. He is now back-up for David Lucas.
Andrew Caton: Youth striker that showed much promise after arriving from North Leigh. Caton scored on his debut against Wrexham but injuries plagued his Swindon Town career. He now plays for Weymouth after spells with Witney Town, Team Bath and Oxford City.
Ben Martin: Andy King brought him in from Aylesbury United but rarely featured in the first team. Now with Chelmsford City.
Lloyd Opara: Joined from Grays Athletic but left soon after. Since leaving Swindon he’s played for St Albans City, Bishop’s Stortford, Redbridge, Chelmsford City, Cheshunt, Peterborough United, Burton Albion, Windsor & Eton, Harlow Town, Potters Bar Town, Waltham Forest, Arlesey Town and Broxbourne Borough (probably among others!)
Daren Dykes: Arrived from Buckingham Town. Played a couple of times before being sent out on loan to Lincoln City. Returned to Buckingham after only one season. He has since become a Non-League journeyman playing for Stotfold Stony, Stratford Town, Rugby Town, Halesowen Town and Newport Pagnell Town
Paul Edwards: Joined from the artists formally known as Leigh RMI in August 2001. Edwards had fallen into Non-League but was given a second chance from Swindon manager Roy Evans. He performed okay but never settled and turned down a new deal. Edwards has since become an adequare lower league player with Wrexham, Blackpool, Oldham Athletic and Port Vale.
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