Hot-shot snapped up by champions

Picked in the EVO-STIK League's Premier Division Team of the Year in two out of the last three seasons, the highly-rated Watson, pictured, left the Ravens after three and half goal-laden years to join the EVO-STIK League South champions for a record undisclosed fee.

In a statement wishing him well on their website, the Central League-bound Ravens confirmed they'd received a club record fee for the hot-shot who fired them to two cup finals and Leicestershire Challenge Cup success with 33 goals last term.

Basford boss Martin Carruthers said: "I am absolutely delighted to have Nat on board. He is a player I have admired for years and I can’t wait to see him in action in a Basford shirt."

Basford United's recently appointed vice-chairman Tom Brookbanks knows Watson well from his time managing him at Owen Street before standing down after the club's defeat at the hands of Atherton Collieries in the 2018 Integro League Cup Final.

He added: "Nat is certainly one of the most gifted players I have ever managed and I know my old assistant Mark Harvey agrees. Most importantly our gaffer Martin Carruthers feels the same way."

Watson told Coalville Town's website that he wanted to stay in the Northern Premier League after this summer's restructuring by the Football Association to avoid the excessive travelling he'd be facing from August.

Watson said: "I would like to thank all the fans for their support over the three and a half successful years I played for Coalville. I have met some great people, players and club members, who I will stay in contact with in the future. The club is a credit to itself and is run properly throughout from the volunteers right up to the chairman.

"With the new league restructuring and a change in circumstances made it near on impossible for me to commute 3 times a week to Coalville and the away fixtures would be a massive struggle due to working full time. I wish everyone at the club good luck for the future and will be the first result I check on a Saturday at 5pm!"

Coalville Town chairman Glyn Rennocks added: "We would like to place on record our thanks and good wishes to Nathan as he leaves the club. Although of course we wanted to keep him I have always said I will never stand in anyone's way if they want to leave for the right reasons and this deal also works for the club financially."

Images courtesy of @Basfordutdfc & @CoalvilleTownFC/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague