FROM RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

Stamford AFC striker Jack Duffy is a transfer target for Northern Premier League Midlands Division leaders Ilkeston Town

Top scorer Jack Duffy is a player in demand with three clubs targetting the Daniels marksman. Duffy took his goal haul for the season to a dozen to make him the fifth top scorer in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division with a brace in the 4-0 victory over Corby Town on New Year's Day. And his goalscoring exploits have caught the attention of a trio of clubs who have all submitted seven-day approaches for the striker. Duffy has already turned down the advances of National League North side Kettering Town and Northern Premier Division outfit Basford.

Midlands Division leaders Ilkeston Town are the latest club to make a move for Duffy and Stamford manager Graham Drury is hoping that his striker will also reject a switch to the New Manor Ground.

Drury said: "Jack has turned down two offers and he's now got another decision to make with Ilkeston, but I'm hoping that he is going to stay. "It doesn't surprise me that clubs are interested because he's a big unit who is scoring goals and he's fit and quick. "He has done really well for us and I'm really hoping to keep him because I've got him in a really good place. "He's really strong mentally and positive about his game and what he's doing which is all credit to him as an individual because sometimes you have to find that from within and he's done that well this year."

 Zayn Hakeem has decided to leave the club and return to Anstey Nomads with his game-time limited while defender Stacey Freeman has moved out of the area and back to the south coast. Drury added: "Zayn wants to play more football which I totally appreciate and understand. "I will always be totally honest to the guys and I can't play them all, especially when you're winning and you've got a good side which is hard to get in. "Zayn has been very open and admitted he hadn't hit the ground running like he wanted to and hasn't been able to cement a place so I wish him all the best because he's a top lad who has been great for me.

"Stacey has moved on as well so, with losing Joe Butterworth to Bedford, it has brought the squad down to 16 players which has been taken out of my hands. "It's still a very strong squad though but whether I do anything in the market myself is something that I might look at."

Drury saw his side move back into the play-off places on New Year's Day with a 4-0 away win at his former club Corby Town.Three goals in eight first half minutes laid the foundations for the success as Stamford made an instant return to winning ways following the defeat against Yaxley in their previous outing. He commented: "I thought we were really good in the first half and created some good chances. "Our movement in and around the 18-yard box was sharp and we were intense with our passing. It was a lot quicker than of late. "We were patient in our build-up and I was really pleased with the overall performance. "We might have been a bit sluggish to start the second half but we showed game management and got the fourth goal which was pleasing.

"We have to now go on another run. We have to start new memories because the old and past is gone and we need to keep on the coat-tails of the sides above us and make sure we stay in there.

"Stamford are back in action on Saturday when they host Sporting Khalsa at the Zeeco Stadium.   
  
 

Last edited by Matchman (03/1/2022 9:57 PM)