We are excited to confirm the signing of forward Matty Stenson from Nuneaton Borough.
Matty, aged 29, returns for a second spell at the New Buck’s Head, having spent time on loan to the club in the 2019/20 season, from Solihull Moors.
Bucks manager Kevin Wilkin said of his new signing:
“Matt is on 13 or 14 goals for the season with Nuneaton, and we're hoping he'll come here and continue that vein of scoring. Hopefully, we can develop his game, but we certainly need more orthodox strikers to complement what we've already got and add something to the good work that's being done across the front line. We need to score more goals, and we hope bringing Matty in will help address that situation.”
“I’ve tried to sign Matty in previous years and seasons and haven't been fortunate enough to do so, but at 29 years old he still has some real good days ahead of him”
Nuneaton agreed to waive the seven-day notice period to allow us to talk to Matty. There was considerable interest in Matty from clubs at Steps 2 and 3, but after discussion and negotiations with Kevin Wilkin, he put pen to paper on a deal for the rest of the season.
Matty met his new teammates and trained with the squad for the first time on Thursday evening and is available for selection for Saturday’s home fixture with Leiston.
Matty began his career in Coventry City’s youth system; however, a persistent hip injury required career-saving surgery, following which he resumed his career with Hinckley United / Hinckley Leicester Road.
Matty was then on the move to Barwell, where he found the net regularly, and Leamington soon snapped him up.
A blistering scoring start to the 2018/19 season saw Solihull Moors come calling, and Matty switched to full-time football. Unable to nail down a regular starting place, he joined the Bucks for the season curtailed by the Covid pandemic, scoring on his debut in a 4-1 win over Guiseley.
Upon the resumption of football, Matty moved north to National League side FC Halifax Town; however, injury again dogged his attempts to establish himself under manager Pete Wild.
A loan spell at Tamworth and another at Kidderminster Harriers followed. Matty then chose a return to the semi-professional game, signing a deal with Nuneaton Borough.
A productive campaign with Boro ended in disappointment, losing the Southern League Central Premier play-off final to Rushall Olympic on penalties. Matty returned to Liberty Way for the 2023/24 season, but when off-field issues began to impact the club, the Bucks stepped in with an offer to bring Matty back to Shropshire.
Matty adds scoring depth to the Bucks’ squad for the second half of the season, and we are sure that he will be a good fit for Kevin Wilkin’s squad as they aim to develop their recent good form into a genuine promotion challenge.
Welcome back to the Bucks, Matty!