I had a message tonight that we have signed Val Owen on loan from Altrincham. The signing has been faxed to the Unibond League, and subject to acceptance tomorrow, he should be available for selection.
Confirmation of Rueben Wiggins-Thomas’s release came through too late for Saturdays’ game, but he is available for selection against Nantwich.
Yes i would say this is perhaps Nigel’s best signing to date. Val Owen is ideal for this league big, strong and experienced. I think he will make a massive difference.
Now all we need is a new centre half alongside Pritch and I think the spine of the team looks pretty good.
Well done Nigel, more signings like this please!
Val OWEN (d.o.b. 11 February 1971)
Val joined Altrincham Reserves during 2004-05 having been out of the game after leaving Halifax Town in April 2004. He had joined the Shaymen, for whom he made 19 appearances and scored 2 goals, from Northwich Victoria on 4 December 2003. Val started his career at Hyde United after moving from local amateur football. In June 1998 he joined Northwich and later moved to Hednesford Town. After a brief loan spell at Southport, he joined the Vics again in October 2001 and was their captain at the start of the 2002-03 campaign. In autumn 2004 Val impressed in the Alty Reserves and made his first-team debut on 23 October 2004. He immediately established himself as a strong-tackling regular in central midfield, where he formed a formidable partnership with Eddie Hussin. Val also scored some crucial goals in the 2004-05 promotion play-offs and has also played impressively in 2005-06 but a foot injury sidelined him in April 2006, though he had recovered for pre-season in summer 2006. Val was suspended for three games in September 2006 and also missed games with injury in the latter part of the season. Likewise, his involvement in 2007-08 was interrupted by injury in October 2007 and he underwent an operation on his knee in February 2008. Val returned to action as a used substitute on 24 March 2008 but was again sidelined by injury for the run-in and the start of 2008-09 season. Appearances to June 2008. 111(+5), 9 goals.