Following the departure of Jack McDowell earlier this week the joint gaffers have wasted no time in recruiting a worthy replacement in the form of goalkeeper Sam Wilson who joins from Long Eaton United.

Sam joined Long Eaton in a player/goalkeeping coach role in the summer of 2020, having previously played for Mansfield Town U18’s, where he played a key role in the EFL Youth Alliance title-winning team and made appearances for the U21’s.

‘Wilo’ appeared over 80 times for the blues in a three year spell that included 31 clean sheets, a 70% win ratio and most impressively 4 assists. The 24-year-old has earned back to back promotions winning the UCL Premier Division North two seasons ago and played 36 times on the way to ‘United’ winning the Northern Premier Div 1 play off final gaining promotion to step 3 last season.

In the 2019/20 season, Wilson gained experience on loan at former Northern Premier side Wisbech Town. The following campaign, he played a pivotal role in helping the Blues reach the quarter-finals of the Buildbase FA Vase, with two crucial penalty saves against Hanworth Villa.

Off the field Wilson has recently taken up a lead goalkeeping coach role at Aston Villa coaching Under 9’s-Under 14’s.

Fun facts the newest recruit has kept clean sheets in both previous appearances against the Red Badgers and was in goal for Long Eaton’s 12-0 demolition of Selston back in September 2020.

The joint bosses expressed their delight; “ We unexpectedly had Jack McDowell come to us on Tuesday night after the Gedling MW Game asking if he could go on trial for Heanor so after a brief chat we made it clear to him going on trial to another club in our league isn’t really what we are about we only want players that are all in so he made the decision to seek a new challenge which put us in a difficult position with Alfie struggling with injury as well but someone must be looking over us as within 48 hours we found out Wilo may be available!”

“Were Delighted to get Wilo on board he is someone me and Bally have been aware of for a few years from his successful spell at Long Eaton United and more importantly he knows 4/5 of the current squad really well so we expect him to fit straight in.”

“He’s a winner someone who has won this league and the league above in the past two
Years, his distribution and communication is top notch and he’ll be another good character to add to what we already have.”

“Really looking forward to see the competition between Alfie and Wilo for the number one shirt moving forward.”

“Must say a huge thank you to Deaks at Long Eaton United who in truth has been brilliant for us with advice and help with players he was an important component in getting the duel registration over the line for us.”

Welcome to Eastwood Wilo