Casswell swoops to bring hot-shot home

The Leek-based striker, a fans' favourite at Harrison Park since bagging 39 goals in 114 appearances between 2009 and 2013, is the grandson of Blues press officer Mike Cope.

The 23-year-old, pictured playing for Rangers, had found himself out of favour at Marston Road this season following the signing of prolific former Halesowen Town front-man Ben Haseley despite being Stafford’s leading hit-man last season with 22 goals.

Among his tally were two against the Blues, the first a cracking strike on New Year's Day to give Rangers a 1-0 league win at Marston Road. In April, the forward then came off the bench to score a last-minute winner in the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final at Vale Park as Stafford beat the Blues again by the same margin.

Casswell missed out on playing Cope against Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday after the fixture was postponed with the club preparing for Tuesday night's FA Cup replay at Rocester but he is looking forward to pairing his new striker with current leading scorer Tm Grice.

The Leek boss said: “Dan will be a great addition to the squad. He's a proven goalscorer and will take some of the pressure off Tim Grice, despite the fact he's started the season well with five goals."

In other squad news, striker Dan Brown has returned to Leek's FA cup opponents Rocester although the club will retain his EVO-STIK NPL registration.

Image courtesy of www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk

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